10 Misconceptions Your Boss Shares Concerning Cerebral Palsy Attorneys
How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim
A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis can have profound implications on the life of the child as well as the lives of their family. Compensation can help them have a fulfilling life by giving them access to equipment, treatment and assistance.
Medical negligence is often the reason for cerebral palsy. This could be due to inadequate prenatal care, issues during labor and birth or other events.
Causes
Early diagnosis and treatment of CP can help improve a child's abilities. Doctors determine CP in relation to the child's movements, muscle tone and coordination. They might refer the child to specialists, such as pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists or physiatrists. These specialists can assist in managing symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Cerebral Palsy affects each person differently. It can be moderate and have only a slight impact on a child's ability or severe and cause impairments to all areas of the body. Some of the symptoms include an oversized (floppy neck) head and muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled, difficulty walking, or having difficulty speaking and other functions. If cerebral palsy affects only one side of the child's body, then it is called hemiplegia. If it affects both sides, it is known as diplegia. The severity of CP can lead to a locked-in (spastic) condition that causes muscle spasticity that restricts a person's movements and leads to problems with speech and eating.
Medical mistakes in childbirth are a common reason for CP. Doctors, midwives, and nurses should be careful when delivering babies because brain damage may have serious consequences. A doctor could be held responsible for negligence if a medical error causes cerebral palsy or brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or failure to monitor and escalate a complex labor.
Signs and symptoms
If your child has cerebral palsy, he / will likely suffer from an array of physical symptoms. They could be characterized by tight joints or stiff joints or muscles, a limp, involuntary movement and issues with balance and posture. Other issues include intellectual disabilities, speech delays and vision and hearing problems.
Cerebral palsy symptoms are caused due to damage to the young brain, usually in the early years of childhood or in infants. A slowing down in reaching milestones such as sitting up, crawling or walking is a typical sign of CP. Children suffering from CP may also have difficulty swallowing, and may need a feeding device.
Many factors can contribute to the development of an injury to the brain that causes CP or CP-related conditions, including infections such as toxoplasmosis, rubella or cytomegalovirus in the womb and high blood pressure in pregnancy and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a massive lack of oxygen) during delivery or labor is the leading cause of CP.
Based on the type of cerebral palsy, the symptoms can vary from mild to severe. The most prevalent type of cerebral palsy lawyers palsy is spastic cerebral palsy, which is manifested by stiff muscles. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also known as athetoid choreoathetoid or choreoathetoid) is known as a slow and uncontrolled writhing of the legs, arms and the body. Other types of CP could include ataxic cerebral palsy, which has an unstable motion or paraplegic cerebral palsy, in which the arms and legs are affected.
Treatment
Though the symptoms of cerebral palsy can differ, the majority of patients with the condition experience stiffness and decrease in muscle control. They may also be struggling with balance and coordination. The type of movement problem that they have depends on what area of the brain was injured and the severity of the injury.
Many people suffering from CP require special physical therapy to improve their mobility, tone of muscles, and stretch their muscles and joints. It also helps relieve pain and prevent contracture. Exercises, braces or other treatments may be incorporated.
CP is characterised by musculoskeletal conditions that include hip dysplasia and patella alta. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis can also be seen. These can cause major issues in mobility, which reduces the life expectancy of patients.
Speech and therapy for language are a way to help children who are unable to communicate effectively. This may help children learn new ways of communicating and could include sign language, communication board or voice synthesizers.
These medications can be used to relax stiff or overactive muscles to reduce abnormal movement, relieve pain, and control seizures. These medications can be administered orally, or directly injected into the affected muscles or the fluid surrounding your spinal cord.
Compensation
If your cerebral palsy lawsuits palsy case is successful, you will be awarded compensation to pay for your child's medical equipment, specialist care and treatment. The amount of compensation will be based on the mental and physical consequences of your child's condition and any losses or expenses that you might have incurred. These could include loss of earnings as you had to take a break from work to care for your child, home adaptations and transport costs to get your child to and from appointments.
Based on the degree of the injury to your child, your lawyer may hire a specialist in disability care to write a "life care plan' that meticulously outlines all their needs beginning with the date of their diagnosis until they reach adulthood. This will allow you to calculate the most accurate compensation amount. It usually takes the form of a lump-sum and annual installments, that can be adjusted to keep pace with inflation.
It is important to know that the amount of compensation you receive for a successful legal claim is not a windfall. It's an acknowledgement of unfairness that was caused by medical professionals did not perform their duty of care in labour, pregnancy and delivery.