Albuquerque Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

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An experienced Albuquerque cerebral palsy lawyer can assist you if your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical mistakes. Even if you are uncertain of the cause of the condition, a lawyer can help by reviewing your case and offering advice.

Does Negligence Cause Cerebral Palsy?

Birth injuries sometimes cause cerebral palsy by causing brain damage. Birth injuries that should have been prevented are known as medical negligence and occur when a medical professional doesn’t provide a reasonable standard of care.

While birth injuries can occur during the labor and delivery period of a pregnancy, they can also happen before birth. These can occur when a doctor ignores warning signs for complications.

For example, if a physician fails to diagnose and treat maternal infections correctly, the doctor could be liable for damages. The infections can lead to the patient’s child developing brain damage and cerebral palsy.

Generally, these types of tragic events occur when nurses fail to alert physicians in time when the mother or infant requires immediate medical care. Hospitals are often liable for damages in these types of situations and can be subjected to medical malpractice lawsuits.

An experienced Albuquerque cerebral palsy attorney can assist you in deciding if your child’s disorder could have been prevented if not for negligent medical mistakes at the hands of those with whom you trusted your child’s safety.

Why Do I Need an Albuquerque Cerebral Palsy Lawyer?

Taking legal action for medical malpractice and birth injuries is complicated and difficult. An experienced cerebral palsy or birth injury lawyer can explain the laws and your options to give you the best possible chance of recovering damages.

They can also maximize your compensation through a settlement or trial. This is important because the costs of treatment and care for your child will likely be high.

Albuquerque Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Helps Family Recover $73.2 Million

A New Mexico family won a $73.2 million lawsuit in 2018. A jury determined that a doctor and medical center’s negligence led to a boy developing severe disabilities that have left him with limitations for life.[1]

A Lea County mom and her son were represented by a New Mexico cerebral palsy lawyer in a case that resulted in one of the highest reward amounts for a cerebral palsy suit in the state’s history.

“The jury was angry,” the lawyer said after the verdict. “This verdict, to me, represents the power of a jury. They will affect change by their vote here, by their award. That will get the attention of every health care provider in New Mexico and, actually, across the country.”

According to court documents, Dr. Jerry McLaughlin, employer of Pecos Valley of New Mexico, an outpatient clinic, was found negligent in caring for the mother before childbirth and preparing correctly. The physician reportedly knew beforehand that delivery would be high-risk.

In 2013, Lorenza Botello gave birth to an 11.5-pound baby boy, Jonathan Botello. The baby, however, was deprived of oxygen for at least 10 minutes after being forcefully pulled out by a birth-assisting vacuum.

As a result, Jonathan developed permanent brain damage and a host of disabilities.

Before childbirth, Lorenza had visited Dr. McLaughlin’s clinic around 17 times. Court documents indicate that he knew she had diabetes and, at age 36, was considered to have a high-risk pregnancy.

The doctor also knew that she would be delivering an “unusually large” infant yet failed to take the proper steps to ensure safe delivery.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center advised the doctor to send the mother in for additional testing. Still, the physician chose to ignore the advice.

While trying to deliver the baby via traditional methods, the doctor noticed that Jonathan’s shoulders were too big. He yanked the boy through with the birth assisting tool. The force ripped the baby’s nerves inside one of his arms while Lorenza experienced a painful laceration.

“When health care providers hear about this verdict, they will make sure they make changes in their policies so that another little boy and mom don’t have to suffer,” the lawyer added. “That is the power of what a Santa Fe jury can do.”

If your child was injured and developed cerebral palsy, keep in mind that an experienced and caring Albuquerque cerebral palsy attorney can also help you.

Parents or caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and other disorders caused by negligent medical professionals should be expected to cover the child’s overwhelming medical expenses alone.

Medical Help and Cerebral Palsy Resources in Albuquerque

UNM Health Center Pediatric Rehabilitation

UNM’s pediatric rehabilitation department provides a team approach to helping children with a variety of conditions and disabilities, including cerebral palsy. Services include aqua, occupational, physical, and speech-language therapy.[2]

1127 University Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: 505-272-4511

PMG Pediatric Chronic Care Clinic at Presbyterian Hospital Physician Office Building

The Pediatric Chronic Care Clinic treats children with cerebral palsy and other chronic conditions and coordinates care with pediatricians and other specialists. The team also assists children as they transition to adulthood.[3]

201 Cedar St. SE, Suite 4660
Albuquerque, NM  87106
Phone: 505-563-6530