Obtaining Reparations for Children

Development Delay From Birth Injuries in Philadelphia, PA

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Developmental delay can result from birth injuries, causing a child to reach typical milestones later than expected. These delays can impact physical, emotional, or mental growth and may be more than minor setbacks. Key areas of delay include motor skills, social skills, thinking, speech, and vision. If a child shows delays in multiple areas, it may be diagnosed as global developmental delay, which can stem from conditions such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, or other serious disorders that affect the child after birth. If you're in Philadelphia, PA, and concerned about your child’s development, The Law Offices of Joseph Lichtenstein can provide expert legal support for families facing these challenges. Early intervention and understanding your child’s rights are crucial in securing the appropriate care and compensation for birth injuries and developmental delays.

Speech & Language

Every baby develops at their own pace. There are certain warning signs, however, to be aware of when it comes to problems with speech. If by four months of age, the baby is not responding to loud noises or does not make any noises, this is an indication that something may be wrong. Children who do not respond to any sounds by the age of seven months should visit a doctor. By one year old, the child should be able to say some words, such as mama or dada. By two years old, if they cannot say at least 15 words or cannot communicate what they need, this could be a sign of developmental delay.

What causes speech and language delays? In some cases, it is not a birth injury but due to the fact that they were exposed to more than one language. In other cases, it is due to a disorder like a learning disability, dysarthria, problems with hearing, or a form of autism. By contacting a speech-language pathologist, they can seek to determine what is causing the delay and how to treat it.

Vision

Most babies will have blurry vision until they are six months old. If there are issues with their vision after this age, this could be pointing to a vision delay. Some warning signs to be aware of include both eyes turning in or out constantly. The baby may also have drainage from their eyes or be sensitive to light. They can be tested by seeing if they can follow objects one foot away with their eyes. Although a baby's vision is not completely normal until they are six months old, issues could be apparent as early as three months. If they do not notice their own eyes, always have crossed eyes, or cannot follow moving objects, this could be a problem.

What causes these vision problems? One possible explanation is that the child is suffering from a lazy eye (amblyopia). Another possible problem could be that the child has cataracts. Although these are more common with old age, infants can also inherit this condition. An eye disease known as retinopathy of prematurity could also cause the child to experience problems with vision. In order to treat these problems, the child may need to wear an eye patch, special glasses, or even undergo surgery. Doctors need to be vigilant in diagnosing vision problems so that they do not worsen and lead to permanent damage.

Cognitive

Brain injuries, genetic defects, or medical issues could result in cognitive delays in infants. How can parents detect if their child has issues with thinking? Unlike the other areas of developmental delays, it is difficult to detect any problems until the child is one year old. If by one, they are not pointing at objects, making gestures like waving or clapping, or do not attempt to search for objects which they see being hidden, this could point to a problem. By two years old, there will be different warning signs. For example, they will not be able to follow any instructions or be able to imitate others. They may also be unable to understand what simple objects function as, such as a spoon or a toothbrush.

If your child is experiencing developmental delays due to Down syndrome, a serious medical condition, or another disorder, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. In many cases, medical malpractice can be a significant contributing factor. If a doctor was negligent in diagnosing or treating your child, they should be held accountable for the resulting consequences. For more information about birth injuries or medical malpractice, reach out to a trusted lawyer specializing in these areas. Contact us today at 888-529-0120 or visit our Contact Us page for a consultation.

The Law Offices of Joseph Lichtenstein serves clients from across New York City including the areas of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island. We also cater to prospective clients in the areas of Westchester, Nassau County, and Suffolk County.