Cerebral Palsy Risk Factors – Clinical Negligence

In most individual cases it is not possible to say exactly what causes this condition and by far the majority of cases seem to be naturally occurring. There are however a small number of cases that are caused as a result of errors by healthcare providers, which can lead to a successful compensation claim for losses and expenses caused as a result of clinical negligence. In regards to cases where there is suspicion that the cause may be due to clinical errors there are cerebral palsy risk factors which may predispose certain infants to suffer from this condition in the absence of appropriate medical care.

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Infant & Mother & Father

In cases where cerebral palsy risk factors are present it is incumbent on health care providers to be aware of them and to take appropriate action in advance of any potential medical emergency. Cerebral palsy risk factors are associated with the infant and with both of the parents and if a cerebral palsy risk factor is present healthcare providers should take appropriate remedial action or prepare for a worst case scenario. Failure to take such action or failure to properly investigate medical history may be sufficient to prove a clinical negligence compensation claim and justify an award of damages.

CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE SOLICITORS FREE HELPLINE 1800 339 353

Risk Factors

Cerebral palsy risk factors may only come to light upon detailed enquiry of the parents or detailed perusal of the mothers medical history. The following items represent some of the matters that may be considered to be cerebral palsy risk factors :-

• breech birth
• complicated labour
• complicated delivery
• vascular problems during labour and delivery
• respiratory problems during labour and delivery
• first child
• fifth or later child
• low Apgar score
• twins where one has died
• multiple births
• obvious nervous system malformation
• low birth weight less than 3.5 pounds
• premature birth less than 37 weeks
• mother/child blood incompatibility
• infant micro-organism infection
• late severe proteinuria
• late maternal bleeding
• maternal hyperthyroidism
• maternal seisures
• maternal German measles/viruses
• mother aged over 40 years
• mother aged less than 21 years
• father aged less than 21 years
• African-Caucasian ethnicity

CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE SOLICITORS FREE HELPLINE 1800 339 353

Clinical Negligence Solicitors

If you believe that your child’s cerebral palsy was caused as a result of clinical negligence we offer free legal advice without obligation. Just complete and send the contact form and a specialist solicitor will call you on the telephone to offer free information on time limits and how to protect your legal right to claim clinical negligence compensation.