The 10 Most Scariest Things About 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 and that of their family. Compensation can enable them to lead a full and active life by providing access and equipment, as well as assistance.
Many cases of cerebral palsy attorney palsy are the result of medical negligence. This could be due to inadequate medical attention prior to pregnancy, problems during labor and delivery, or other incidents.
Causes
There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment may improve the abilities of a child. Doctors can diagnose CP by observing the tone of a child's muscles, movement and coordination. They may refer the child to specialists, cerebral palsy attorney like pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists or physiatrists. These specialists can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Cerebral palsy affects all people differently. It can be mild and have a minimal impact on the child's capabilities or severe and cause impairments to all areas of the body. The signs include a floppy (floppy neck) head and muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled as well as difficulty walking or having trouble with speech and other functions. If a child only has cerebral palsy lawsuit palsy on one side of the body, it's called hemiplegia. When it happens on both sides, it's called diplegia. In severe cases, CP may lead to a locked in (spastic) condition that is characterized by muscle spasticity. This can restrict the movement of a person and create difficulties with speech and eating.
Medical mistakes during childbirth are a leading cause of CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses should be extra cautious when delivering babies as damage to the brain can cause serious problems. If a medical mistake results in oxygen deprivation or other brain injury that causes cerebral palsy, the doctor may be held liable for negligence. This could include negligence in scheduling or performing an urgent C-section or inability to supervise and escalate the complexity of labor.
Signs and symptoms
If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, they will most likely show a variety of physical symptoms. The symptoms can include stiff or tight muscles and a limp, involuntary movements, and problems with posture and balance. Other problems include speech delays, intellectual disabilities as well as hearing and vision issues.
The symptoms of cerebral palsy are caused by damage to an immature brain. It is most commonly seen in the early years of childhood. A delay in achieving 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 difficulty swallowing and may require a feeding tube.
Many factors can contribute to the brain injury that causes CP. These include infections like toxoplasmosis or rubella in the womb, high blood pressure during pregnancy; and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a severe deficiency of oxygen) during delivery or labor is the leading cause of CP.
The symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the type. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most common type. Dyskinetic cerebral Palsy (also called athetoid choreoathetoid, choreoathetoid) is characterised by a the uncontrolled writhing and swaying of the arms, legs and body. Other forms of CP include ataxic cerebral palsy (which is characterized by a shaky motion) or paraplegic CP which affects the legs and arms are affected.
Treatment
Though the symptoms of cerebral palsy can vary, the majority of people suffering from the condition experience stiffness, as well as a decrease in muscle control. They may also be struggling with balance and coordination. The type of movement issue that they face is determined by what area of the brain was injured and the severity of the injury.
Many people suffering from CP require specific physical therapy that assists them improve their muscle tone and mobility and stretch and strengthen their joints and muscles. It can also relieve the discomfort and help prevent contractures. Braces, exercises or other treatments might be included.
CP is characterized by musculoskeletal disorders, such as patella alta and hip dysplasia. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis may also be present. These can cause major issues in mobility, which decreases the life expectancy of patients.
Other treatments could include speech and language therapy for children who cannot communicate effectively. This may help them learn new ways of communicating and may involve sign language, communication boards, or voice synthesizers.
The use of medications can relax muscles that are stiff or overactive, reduce abnormal movement, reduce pain and seizures. The medications are administered by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord.
Compensation
If your case of cerebral palsy is successful, you will receive compensation to you pay for medical attention, equipment and treatment. The compensation will be based upon the physical and mental effects of your child's illness and any expenses or losses you may have incurred. This could include loss of earnings because you had to work less to take care of your children, home modifications and transportation expenses.
Depending on the degree of the injury to your child the lawyer may recommend a specialist in disability care to develop a "lifecare plan' that clearly outlines all their needs from the time of their diagnosis until adulthood. This can help determine an accurate amount of compensation. This typically takes the form of lump sums and regular annual payments that can be adjusted to reflect the rate of inflation.
You must be aware that the compensation for a successful legal matter is not a monetary windfall. It's an acknowledgement that injustice was committed, all because medical professionals did not fulfill their duty of taking care during labour, pregnancy and delivery.
