How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy can have profound consequences for the child and their family. Compensation can help them lead an active and healthy life by providing access to care equipment and support.

Many cases of cerebral palsy are the result of medical negligence. This could be caused by a lack of care during pregnancy, problems during delivery or other incidents.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however early diagnosis and treatment may improve the capabilities of a child. Doctors diagnose CP by looking at the muscle tone of a child, movement and coordination. They may 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.

twentynine palms cerebral palsy attorney palsy affects all people differently. It can be mild, having a minimal impact on a child's ability perform, or it can be severe and result in impairments throughout the body. The signs include an oversized (floppy neck) head, stiff or uncontrolled muscles and walking difficulties, or having trouble with speech and other functions. If a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's referred to as hemiplegia; on both sides, it's called diplegia. In severe cases, CP can cause locked in (spastic), condition with muscle spasticity. This can limit the ability of a person to move and can cause difficulty with speech and eating.

Birth complications are a common cause of CP. Nurses, doctors, and midwives should be cautious when delivering babies as damage to the brain can have serious consequences. A physician may be held liable for negligence if a medical error causes cerebral palsy or brain damage due to oxygen deficiency. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing a Csection urgently or not being able to monitor and escalate an arduous labor.

Symptoms

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, they will most likely exhibit a variety of physical symptoms. The symptoms can include tight or stiff muscles or joints, a limp, uncontrolled movements, and problems with posture and balance. Other issues could include speech delays, intellectual disabilities as well as hearing and vision issues.

Cerebral Palsy symptoms are caused by damage to the developing brain, typically in infancy or early childhood. A delay in milestones like rolling over, sitting, walking, or crawling may be a sign of CP. Children with CP might also have trouble swallowing, and may need a feeding device.

Many factors can contribute to the development of a brain injury that leads to CP or CP-related conditions, including infections such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, or toxoplasmosis in the womb, high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. A serious lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during birth or labor is a major cause of CP as is the occurrence of bleeding in the brain caused by blood vessels that are blocked or damaged.

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most commonly encountered type. Dyskinetic coral gables cerebral palsy law firm Palsy (also called athetoid, choreoathetoid, choreoathetoid), is characterised by a slow and uncontrolled writhing movements of the legs, arms and the body. Other types of CP include ataxic cerebral palsy (which is characterized by a shaky motion) or paraplegic CP in which the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

Although the specific symptoms of cerebral palsy vary, most sufferers have to deal with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They may also experience issues with balance and coordination. The type of movement problem that they experience is based on what area of the brain was injured and the severity of the injury.

Many people suffering from CP require special physical therapy that can increase their mobility, muscle tone, and stretch their muscles and joints. It can also help relieve pain and prevent contracture. It could include exercises, braces with special features, or other treatments.

Musculoskeletal disorders like hip dysplasia, patella alta, cervical stenosis, and scoliosis are prevalent in CP. These conditions can cause major issues in mobility, which decreases life expectancy.

Other treatments can include speech and language therapy for children who cannot communicate effectively. This can assist them to learn new ways of communicating and could include sign language, communication boards or voice synthesizers.

These medications can be used to reduce abnormal movements, reduce the pain, and manage seizures. The medication is taken by mouth or injected into affected muscles or into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful claim for cerebral palsy could result in compensation for your child to pay for specialist care, equipment and treatment. This will be determined by the psychological and physical impact that your child's condition has caused on them, as well as any losses and expenses you've incurred. This could include the loss of income due to having to leave work in order to take care of your child, house modifications and transport costs to get your child to and from appointments.

Based on the severity of your child's injuries the lawyer might recommend hiring an expert in disability issues to write a "life care plan' that clearly details their needs beginning with the date of their diagnosis until adulthood. This will help you calculate the most accurate compensation amount. This is usually in the form of a lump-sum and recurring annual payments which can be index to keep up with the rate of inflation.

It is important to know that compensation from a successful legal case isn't a quick buck. It is a recognition that injustice was committed, all because a medical professional failed in their obligation to taking care during labour, pregnancy and delivery.