The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Cerebral Palsy Attorneys

How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis has profound implications on the life of the child and the lives of their parents. Compensation can help them lead an active and full life by providing access to treatment, equipment and support.

Many cases of cerebral palsy result from medical negligence. This can be caused by an absence of prenatal care, complications during labor and delivery, or other occurrences.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment can enhance the child's capabilities. 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 and physiatrists. These specialists can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Cerebral palsy affects every person differently. It can be mild and have little impact on the child's capabilities however, it can also be severe and cause impairments in every body part. Some of the symptoms include the appearance of a floppy (floppy neck) head and stiff or uncontrolled muscles that are difficult to walk, or having trouble with speech and other functions. If a child has cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's known as hemiplegia. If it occurs on both sides, it's called diplegia. Severe CP can cause a locked-in (spastic) condition with muscle spasticity that restricts the movement of a person and can lead to difficulties with speech and eating.

Medical mistakes in childbirth are a frequent cause of CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses should be extra cautious when delivering the baby as damage to the brain may cause serious harm. If a medical error results in oxygen deprivation, or other brain injuries that cause cerebral palsy, the physician may be held liable for malpractice. This includes a lack of planning or performing a C-section urgently or failing to monitor and escalate a complicated labor.

Symptoms

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, he or is likely to experience an array of physical symptoms. These symptoms could include stiff or tight muscles or joints, a limp, uncontrolled movements, and problems with posture and balance. Other problems include speech delays, intellectual disabilities and hearing and vision problems.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy result from damage to the brain's immature state. It usually occurs during infancy or the early years of childhood. A delay in reaching milestones, such as rolling over, standing up, crawling or walking is a common sign of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to have difficulties swallowing and may require a feeding tube.

Numerous factors can contribute to the development of an injury to the brain that causes CP, including infections like rubella, cytomegalovirus, or toxoplasmosis in the womb, high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. A severe lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during pregnancy or birth is a major cause for CP, as is bleeding in the brain due to blood vessels that are blocked or damaged.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the type. Spastic cerebral palsy lawsuits palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most common form. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also known as choreoathetoid or athetoid) is characterized by slow and uncontrolled writhing movements of the arms, legs and body. Other forms of CP may include ataxic cerebral palsy, characterized by shakey movements or paraplegic cerebral palsy where the legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

Although the symptoms of cerebral palsy may vary, the majority of patients with the condition experience stiffness, as well as a decrease in muscle control. They may also have issues with coordination and balance. The kind of problems they experience will depend on the area of their brain that was injured and the degree of the injury.

Many people with CP require specific physical therapy in order to increase their mobility, tone of muscles, and stretch their muscles and joints. It can also ease the pain and help prevent contractures. Exercises, braces or other treatments can be considered.

CP is defined by musculoskeletal problems, such as patella alta and hip dysplasia. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis also occur. These conditions can cause major issues in mobility, which reduces the lifespan of a patient.

Speech and therapy for language can be used to help children who are unable to communicate effectively. This may help them discover new ways of communicating and may include sign language, communication boards or voice synthesizers.

These medicines can be used to stop abnormal movements, decrease seizures, and ease pain. These medications are taken by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.

Compensation

If your cerebral palsy case is successful, you could receive compensation to help pay for your child's medical equipment, specialist care and treatment. The amount of compensation will be based upon the physical and mental effects of your child's illness as well as any expenses or losses you may have incurred. This could include loss of earnings due to you having to stop working to take care of your children, attorney home adaptations and transport costs.

Depending on the extent of your child's injury the lawyer might recommend hiring an expert in disability issues to create a "life care plan' that defines their needs starting from the date of their diagnosis until they reach adulthood. This will allow you to calculate an accurate amount of compensation. It usually takes the form of a lump sum and annual installments, which can be index to keep pace with the rate of inflation.

You should be aware that compensation from a successful legal action isn't a huge sum. It's a way of acknowledging an the injustice that occurred due to the fact that a medical professional did not perform their duty of care during labour, pregnancy, and delivery.