New York Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Fighting for Autism Patients

When a child is born, he or she is extremely vulnerable to different injuries that can result in a lifetime of struggle for both the child and the parents.  Basically, even the smallest mistake during the delivery process can carry severe consequences, and one of the more troubling types of birth injuries can result in a diagnosis of autism.

Below you’ll find information regarding the nature of autism, how it can result from a birth injury caused by medical malpractice and finally how you should proceed if your child suffers from autism and you need the help of a New York medical malpractice lawyer.

The Nature of Autism

Autism is sometimes referred to as pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), and it is a condition that has no cure.  Autism generally develops during the first three years of a child’s life, and it’s a problem that affects the brain.  Its basic symptoms include a lack of development in terms of social behaviors, the ability to interact with others and a lack of communication skills.  The symptoms of autism can vary, but generally they involve abnormal responses to stimuli and either a heightened or a decreased development of the different senses.

Autism as a Result of a Birth Injury

Autism can be the result of genetics or other problems, but an autism diagnosis can also follow a mistake made during the delivery of the child.  Common medical mistakes during the birthing process that can lead to autism include:

• Exerting too much pressure on the child’s head/brain during delivery
• Failure to perform a C-section when problems arise during birth
• Overuse of the vacuum extraction device
• Misuse of the forceps used during delivery
• Any mistake that leads to a lack of oxygen to the brain

There are other causes of autism that can be tied to medical malpractice, and most of them involve a failure to properly protect the head and brain during this vulnerable time for the child.

How a New York Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help

When a child develops autism as a result of a medical mistake, the parents face a lifetime of struggle in regards to caring for the child and working towards a level of development that allows for an acceptable quality of life.  If your child has autism and you believe it was because of a mistake made during the birthing process, you need to contact the New York medical malpractice lawyers at Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald today to schedule a free initial consultation.