Bristol County Cerebral Palsy Attorney

Ready to Help Your Family

Few diagnoses are more devastating for parents than learning their child has cerebral palsy (CP). This lifelong condition can cause significant physical and developmental challenges, often requiring ongoing medical care and therapy. When cerebral palsy results from medical negligence before, during, or shortly after birth, families may be entitled to compensation for the harm caused.

At Decof, Mega & Quinn, P.C., our Bristol County cerebral palsy lawyers are experienced in handling complex birth injury cases. We help families understand their legal rights and pursue justice against negligent medical providers whose mistakes caused preventable harm.

Contact Decof, Mega & Quinn, P.C. to schedule your free, confidential consultation.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affect muscle tone, movement, and posture. It is caused by damage to a developing brain, often before or during birth. The condition can vary from mild motor difficulties to severe disabilities that require lifelong care and support.

There are several types of cerebral palsy, including:

• Spastic Cerebral Palsy: The most common form, causing stiff and jerky movements.
• Athetoid (Dyskinetic) Cerebral Palsy: Involves involuntary, slow, writhing movements.
• Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: Affects balance and coordination.
• Mixed Cerebral Palsy: A combination of the above types, resulting in multiple movement problems.

Cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition—meaning it does not worsen over time—but its symptoms can evolve as a child grows. Early diagnosis and intervention can make a significant difference in improving a child’s quality of life.

How Medical Malpractice Causes Cerebral Palsy

While cerebral palsy can sometimes result from unavoidable complications, many cases are directly linked to medical malpractice during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or shortly after birth. When healthcare professionals fail to meet the accepted standard of care, they can cause irreversible brain injury to an infant.

Common examples of medical negligence that can lead to cerebral palsy include:

• Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress: If medical staff fail to recognize or respond to signs of oxygen deprivation, the baby’s brain may suffer permanent damage.
• Delayed Cesarean Section (C-Section): When an emergency C-section is not performed promptly during fetal distress, hypoxia (lack of oxygen) can result.
• Improper Use of Delivery Tools: Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors can cause head trauma leading to brain injury.
• Failure to Diagnose or Treat Infections: Untreated maternal infections such as meningitis or sepsis can cause inflammation and brain injury in the baby.
• Negligent Postnatal Care: Failure to treat jaundice, brain bleeds, or other newborn complications can result in lasting damage.

If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it’s crucial to determine whether negligence played a role. Our Bristol County cerebral palsy attorneys work with top medical experts to review records, identify errors, and hold responsible parties accountable.

Short- & Long-Term Effects of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy affects each child differently. The condition’s severity and symptoms depend on which areas of the brain were damaged and how extensive the injury is.

Short-Term Effects:

• Delays in sitting, crawling, or walking
• Poor muscle control or coordination
• Difficulty sucking or feeding
• Muscle stiffness or floppiness
• Seizures or abnormal reflexes

Long-Term Effects:

• Permanent motor impairments
• Speech and communication difficulties
• Vision or hearing loss
• Intellectual disabilities
• Chronic pain or musculoskeletal problems
• Emotional and behavioral challenges

These long-term effects often require lifelong therapy, medical treatment, and adaptive equipment. Families may face significant emotional and financial stress—making fair compensation critical for their child’s future care and independence.

Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, early intervention and consistent treatment can help children reach their maximum potential. A comprehensive treatment plan often includes:

• Physical Therapy: To improve muscle tone, flexibility, and movement.
• Occupational Therapy: Helps children develop skills for daily activities.
• Speech Therapy: Assists with communication and swallowing difficulties.
• Medications: To manage muscle spasticity, seizures, and pain.
• Surgical Treatments: May help correct muscle or joint problems.
• Assistive Devices: Such as braces, wheelchairs, and communication tools to improve mobility and independence.

These treatments can be extremely costly, often continuing throughout a child’s lifetime. A successful legal claim can help secure compensation for medical bills, future care needs, therapy, home modifications, and other essential expenses.

Why Choose ?

At Decof, Mega & Quinn, P.C., we understand how emotionally and financially challenging a cerebral palsy diagnosis can be for families. Our Bristol County cerebral palsy lawyers are dedicated to helping parents obtain justice and the financial resources their child deserves.

We provide:

• Comprehensive case investigations with access to leading medical experts
• Personalized legal guidance through every stage of the process
• Aggressive advocacy against negligent doctors, hospitals, and insurers
• No upfront fees — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you

Our goal is to relieve your legal burdens so you can focus on what truly matters: your child’s health and well-being.

Cerebral Palsy FAQs

How do I know if my child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical malpractice?

A medical and legal review is often necessary. Our firm works with medical experts to examine your child’s birth records and determine whether negligence contributed to the condition.

What compensation can families recover in a cerebral palsy lawsuit?

You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, future care needs, pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, and emotional distress.

Is there a time limit to file a cerebral palsy claim in Rhode Island?

Yes. In most cases, medical malpractice claims in Rhode Island must be filed within a specific timeframe after the injury is discovered. However, there are exceptions for minors. Our attorneys can review your case and ensure all deadlines are met.

Do I need to pay anything upfront?

No. operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we win your case.

Can a lawsuit help improve my child’s quality of life?

Yes. A successful settlement or verdict can provide financial resources for better medical care, adaptive equipment, therapy, and a secure future for your child.

Contact a Bristol County Cerebral Palsy Attorney Today

If you suspect that medical negligence caused your child’s cerebral palsy, you don’t have to face this battle alone. The compassionate legal team at Decof, Mega & Quinn, P.C. is ready to help you uncover the truth, hold negligent parties accountable, and fight for the justice your family deserves.

Call (401) 200-4059 now to get started on your claim.