Tennessee Cerebral Palsy Verdict Illustrates the Cost of Long Term Care
When an unborn child is in distress, time is of the essence. If a baby who is exhibiting signs of distress is not delivered quickly enough, they can suffer birth injuries which could affect them for the rest of their life. Last year, a jury in Memphis awarded a thirty three and a half million dollar verdict to an eight year old boy who was born with cerebral palsy as a result of doctors’ delay in performing an emergency cesarean birth.
In the case of Jordan Long, attorneys for the boy’s family were able to provide evidence which showed that the actions of the doctors who delivered him did not meet the standard of care, given the circumstances under which his mother was admitted to the hospital. She had been sent to the hospital to deliver him after tests revealed that he was in distress. The delivery should have taken place shortly after she arrived at the hospital, but surgery was not scheduled until hours later. Attorneys for Jordan’s family were able to show that his injuries, which include a form of cerebral palsy called spastic quadriplegia, could have been prevented had he been delivered even fifteen or twenty minutes earlier.
This sizeable verdict is an example of the type of recovery that children who are injured at birth may be awarded based upon the past, present, and future costs of their care as well as any pain and suffering that they may have experienced or will continue to experience as a result of their injury. Cerebral palsy is a long-term condition which requires long-term care and support.
When a child is born with cerebral palsy, they will likely require care and services for that condition as well as other conditions which are commonly associated with it. Children with cerebral palsy often experience cognitive difficulties, seizures, vision loss, and hearing impairment. In addition to medical care, over the course of their lives, these children will require special education services, assisted living, and developmental assistance. As adults, they may be able to seek employment, but their options may be limited. As a result, they are likely to require financial assistance to account for lost productivity and wages. Their parents may have to modify their vehicles and their homes to accommodate them, and they may need these accommodations when they are adults, if they are able to drive and live independently.
If your child was born with cerebral palsy, the medical professionals who were involved in their birth may have contributed to their injuries. Children with cerebral palsy may be able to recover financially for their injuries, so that they always have access to the care and services that they need. If you would like to speak with a Tennessee Birth Injury Attorney about your child’s case, the experienced Tennessee Birth Injury attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC will sit down with you to learn about your case, answer your questions, explain your options, and help you decide how to proceed. We can help you to pursue the recovery that you deserve so that you can focus on giving your child the care that he needs. To learn more, call us at 901-680-9777 to schedule a time to discuss your case. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
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