Minneapolis Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Fact Checked

Minneapolis children with cerebral palsy have quality options when it comes to healthcare, as the city boasts one of the best specialty hospitals in the nation. Yet, despite excellent healthcare options, some children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to medical negligence. If this has happened to your child, contact a Minneapolis cerebral palsy lawyer to learn about your legal rights.

$15 Million After Boy Develops Cerebral Palsy

There is no known reason why children develop cerebral palsy in many cases. In other situations, whether before, during, or after birth, medical negligence and mistakes cause fetal and birth injuries that lead to cerebral palsy.

One such case happened to a Minneapolis family after a baby developed brain damage when two former medical residents at a hospital waited too long to get help.

In 2004, a boy with cerebral palsy was awarded $15 million in a settlement agreement with the hospital, which acknowledged that medical mistakes made before his birth contributed to the development of the disorder.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the infant boy was deprived of oxygen, despite prior signs of being in distress. A medical resident responsible for observing the baby’s mother and fetal monitoring overnight didn’t react in time to help, resulting in the boy developing cerebral palsy with spastic quadriplegia.[1]

“There was more than enough information . . . to say if you don’t know, call someone,”  the family’s lawyer said, referring to the medical resident on duty on the night in question.

According to NWI, the boy also developed impaired vision, developmental delays, and seizures after the incident. The hospital ultimately admitted its failures and settled the case.

“The hospital did recognize … its responsibility and acted appropriately to provide a financial settlement that compensates the plaintiff and protects him in the future,” the cerebral palsy attorney added.[2]

Before the boy’s birth, his mother, past due at 41 weeks pregnant, was given Pitocin to speed up the labor. The medication didn’t induce labor immediately, and the mom stayed overnight at the hospital.

At around 3:15 a.m., a fetal monitoring system began showing fetal distress, yet no one called for help until three hours later.

“The tragedy of the case is they [the medical resident] didn’t call,” the family lawyer said. “Nor did they walk down the hall and get the on-call 24-hour-a-day obstetrician.”

Can a Minneapolis Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Help You?

If you feel your child’s cerebral palsy may have resulted from medical negligence, call an experienced and compassionate Minneapolis cerebral palsy attorney today. They’ll review your information and let you know if you have a case during a free consultation.

Typically, birth injuries and cerebral palsy caused by medical negligence happen, in part, for the following reasons:

• Failure to diagnose or treat maternal infections, which can lead to infant brain damage and cerebral palsy
• Failure to accurately monitor a fetal monitoring system for signs of fetal distress
• Failure of medical staff (such as nurses) to get the appropriate help quickly enough, which can lead to a delayed C-section
• Improper use of birthing tools
• Failure to diagnose or treat uterine problems or umbilical cord issues

Medical Help in Minneapolis

Gillette Children’s Specialty Hospital

Backed by the United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota (UCP-MN), Gillette Children’s Specialty Hospital is “a national leader in health care for children, teens and adults who have cerebral and other complex conditions,” according to the hospital’s official website.

Contact for information and locations: 651-291-2848 or 800-719-4040. 

Shriners Hospital for Children

According to its website, Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis takes a “multidisciplinary team approach” when it comes to cerebral palsy treatment. This means that several medical professionals come together as a team to help children with cerebral palsy. The medical team consists of a physician, nurse, physical therapist, social worker, orthotist, occupational therapist, and dietician.

The Minneapolis hospital also specializes in orthopedics.

Location

Phone: 612-596-6100