The 10 Most Scariest Things About Cerebral Palsy Attorneys

How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy has profound effects on the child and their family. Compensation can help them live an active and fulfilling life by providing access to treatment equipment and assistance.

Many cases of cerebral palsy result from medical negligence. It can be caused by an absence of medical attention prior to pregnancy, problems during labor and birth or other incidents.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment can improve the capabilities of a child. Doctors determine CP through the child's movement, muscle coordination and tone. They may refer the child to specialists, like pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists, and physiatrists. These specialists can assist in managing symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Every person is affected by cerebral palsy differently. It can be mild and have little impact on a child's abilities however, it can also be severe and cause impairments to all body areas. The signs include neck that is floppy (floppy neck) muscles that are stiff and uncontrolled, difficulty walking or having difficulties with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy only affects one side of the child's body, it is referred to as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides of the body, it is known as diplegia. The severity of CP can cause a locked-in (spastic) condition that is characterized by spasticity in muscles that restricts an individual's movements and leads to difficulties in speaking and eating.

Childbirth-related mistakes made by doctors are a leading cause of CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses must be careful when delivering a baby because damage to the brain could result in serious consequences. If a medical error results in oxygen deprivation, or other brain injuries that cause cerebral palsy, the doctor may be held liable for negligence. This could include negligence in scheduling or performing a C-section urgently or the failure to monitor and escalate a complicated labor.

Signs and symptoms

If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, they'll most likely show a variety of physical signs. They could be characterized by tight joints or stiff joints or muscles, a limp, involuntary movement and problems with balance and posture. Other issues include speech delays, intellectual disabilities as well as hearing and vision issues.

Cerebral palsy symptoms are caused by a degeneration of the brain, most often during infancy or early childhood. A delay in milestones such as sitting, rolling over, crawling, or walking can be a sign of CP. Children with CP may also have trouble swallowing and may require a feeding device.

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to an injury to the brain that results in CP. These include infections like toxoplasmosis and rubella in the womb high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a serious lack of oxygen) during labor or delivery is a leading cause of CP.

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, symptoms may range from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most commonly encountered type. Dyskinetic cerebral Palsy attorneys palsy (also called athetoid, choreoathetoid and choreoathetoid) is characterized by uncontrolled and slow writhing of the legs, cerebral Palsy attorneys arms, and body. Other forms of CP include ataxic cerebral palsy (which is characterized by a shaky motion) or paraplegic CP, where the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

The specific symptoms of cerebral palsy vary, most people suffering from the condition are required to deal with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They may also have problems with balance and coordination. The type of movement problem that they have depends on what area of the brain was injured and the degree of the injury.

Many people suffering from CP need special physical therapy that can increase their mobility, flexibility, and muscle tone and stretch their muscles and joints. It can also ease the discomfort and prevent contractures. Braces, exercises or other treatments may be considered.

Musculoskeletal disorders like patella alta, hip dysplasia, cervical stenosis, and scoliosis are prevalent in CP. These can cause major problems in mobility, reducing 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 learn new ways of communicating and may involve sign language, communication boards or voice synthesizers.

Medications can be used to relax muscles that are stiff or overactive or muscles, limit abnormal movement, relieve pain, and control seizures. These medicines can be taken by mouth or directly into the muscles affected, or into the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful cerebral palsy claim can result in compensation for your child to pay for special care, equipment and treatment. This will be determined by the psychological and physical impacts that your child's condition has had on them, as well as the costs and losses you've had to pay. This could include losing income due to having to stop work to care for your child, home adaptions and transport costs to get your child to and from appointments.

Depending on the severity of your child's injury the lawyer may recommend an expert in disability services to create a "life care plan' that lists all the needs of your child from the time of their diagnosis until adulthood. This can help you calculate the most accurate amount of compensation. It typically will be lump sums and regular annual payments that can be adjusted to keep pace with inflation.

You should be aware that the compensation resulting from a successful legal case isn't a quick buck. It's a recognition of the fact that injustice has occurred, and all due to medical professionals failed to fulfill their duty of taking care during labour, pregnancy and delivery.