Maryland Developmental Disabilities Due to Birth Injuries Lawyer
It’s one thing when a child has developmental disabilities due to a congenital issue and could not have been prevented. But it’s totally different when a doctor’s negligence causes your child to develop lifelong issues.
Avoidable birth injuries are a common cause of developmental delays in children. Unfortunately, these delays often lead to long-term developmental disabilities. These disabilities may be physical and/or mental in nature.
Managing these disabilities can be frustrating for parents, as medical treatment is often extensive and expensive. There could be surgeries, therapy, medications, and specialized care required. Many families do not have the financial means to afford these treatments, which could harm their child even more.
The truth is that families should not have to struggle to pay for the medical care their child needs, especially when a negligent doctor was the one who caused the birth injury. Make sure you are fully compensated by contacting the Maryland developmental disability lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman.
Developmental Delays
A birth injury can cause a host of developmental delays, including:
- Intellectual disabilities
- Mobility issues
- ADHD
- Autism
- Cerebral palsy
- Hearing loss
- Visual impairments
Developmental delays are diagnosed by doctors when a child does not reach important milestones when expected. Some common milestones that children fail to reach include not smiling, not feeding properly, not supporting their head, not responding to loud sounds, inability to focus with the eyes, and inability to laugh or squeal.
After 1 year of age, a child should be crawling. After 2 years of age, a child should be able to walk and speak in sentences. By 4 years old, your child should be playing with balls, dressing themselves, and attempting to use the toilet. They should also be able to understand instructions and play nicely with other children. Your child may have delays if they are not meeting these milestones.
How Do Birth Injuries Cause Developmental Delays?
A birth injury is a harmful condition that can cause developmental delays in the following ways:
- Oxygen deprivation. When blood flow is restricted or there is not enough oxygen in the baby’s blood, they can develop a severe brain injury called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This causes brain cells to die, and as a result, babies can develop cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities.
- Infections. A baby can suffer from infections during delivery due to improper treatment. Infections such as herpes, meningitis, Group B strep, and sepsis can cause developmental disabilities.
Contact Us Today
Birth injuries can result in painful long-term complications. A child may have trouble with mobility, learning, speaking, and performing basic tasks. While some can manage their disabilities, others are confined to a wheelchair and require lifelong care.
Caring for a child with a birth injury can be expensive. Seek legal help from the personal injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman. We’ll help hold the liable doctors responsible for their actions so you get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a consultation to learn more. Call our office at (410) 567-0800 today.
