Bridgeport, CT Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

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Children with cerebral palsy have access to excellent resources and medical care in Bridgeport and its surrounding areas. Even so, it’s still possible that medical mistakes can lead to cerebral palsy. If your child’s disorder was caused by medical negligence, an experienced Bridgeport cerebral palsy lawyer can assist you and fight for the justice you and your child deserve.

Cerebral Palsy and Medical Negligence & Mistakes in Bridgeport

Injuries before, during, and after birth caused by medical malpractice happen for various reasons. Common examples of negligence that can cause cerebral palsy include:

• Failure to keep track of fetal monitoring
• Failure to diagnose maternal and fetal infections
• Misdiagnosis of complications
• Failure to treat newborn jaundice
• Failure to notice and address umbilical or placenta issues

Failure to follow safety procedures is also a severe mistake sometimes made by medical professionals, who must provide a reasonable standard of care to their patients.

As seen in the following cerebral palsy case, a young boy was left not only with cerebral palsy but a host of other associated conditions when, according to court documents, a physician made several mistakes before and during the childbirth of one of his patients.

Baby Daniel’s Lawsuit

Daniel D’Attilo was born on February 2, 2003, to first-time parents Dominic and Cathy D’Attilo. Throughout her pregnancy and childbirth, Cathy was under the care of obstetrician Dr. Viscarello, who, according to court documents, failed to follow the recommended safety procedures.

The costly mistake caused Daniel to be born with cerebral palsy and sustain several other medical issues.[1]

The incident started on January 31, 2003. In her 39th week of pregnancy, Cathy visited Dr. Viscarello in Maternal-Fetal Care in Stamford, around 21 miles from Bridgeport.

During a routine ultrasound test, the results indicated that Cathy only had half of the regular amount of amniotic fluid in her womb. Amniotic fluid supports the baby’s health and prevents trauma in utero.

The baby needed to be delivered immediately through C-section, although the mother was still a few weeks away from her due date. Court documents indicate that Dr. Viscarello did not assist in delivering the baby. Instead, he sent Cathy home.

On February 2, Cathy went into labor, and Dr. Viscarello made numerous mistakes detrimental to Daniel’s health, such as misplacing incisions for the C-section.

While being delivered, the baby became lodged into Cathy’s pelvis, causing a birth delay long enough to cut off oxygen to his brain. Oxygen deprivation left him with brain damage, leading to cerebral palsy.

“Dr. Viscarello made a series of errant decisions, including placing incisions in the wrong place during a cesarean section… Consequently, the baby’s birth was delayed, depriving him of oxygen and rendering him profoundly brain-damaged and causing cerebral palsy,” the family’s cerebral palsy attorney said.

Daniel’s form of cerebral palsy is so severe that he can’t perform essential functions such as speaking or eating. He has to be fed through a feeding tube. He also suffers from incontinence and needs constant care.

The D’Attilo family has since sued, securing roughly $58 million for non-economic damages, such as the pain and suffering Daniel has to bear. In addition, the family was awarded an additional $8.6 million for Daniel’s medical expenses and needs.

“This is for our little boy,” Dominic later said, according to NBC New York. “Now, we can move forward and worry about taking care of him like we always have.”

How a Bridgeport Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Can Help You

If your child developed cerebral palsy due to the negligence and mistakes of medical professionals or any other responsible party, an experienced Bridgeport cerebral palsy lawyer could assist you in getting the justice to which your child is entitled.

Medical mistakes can be costly, not only financially but emotionally as well. Most families have to rearrange some portions of their lives to ensure their special needs child receives proper care.

While this can be a blessing, it can also cause additional strain on the family. Contact a Connecticut cerebral palsy lawyer for advice.

Medical Help and Cerebral Palsy Resources in Bridgeport

Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital – Bridgeport

Highlighted in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals,” Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital claims it offers “the most advanced medical care available,” according to its website.[2]

267 Grant Street
Bridgeport, CT 06610
Phone: 203-384-3000