How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis has profound effects on the child and their family. Compensation can enable them to lead an active and healthy life by allowing access to care equipment and support.

Medical negligence is usually the reason for cerebral palsy. It can be caused by the lack of prenatal care, complications during labour and delivery or other events.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment can help improve the capabilities of a child. Doctors diagnose CP by observing the child's muscle tone and coordination. They may refer the child to specialists, such as pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists or physiatrists. These specialists can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Cerebral palsy affects everyone differently. It can be mild with a minimal effect on a child's perform, or it can be severe and result in impairments throughout the body. The signs can include a Floppy head (floppy neck), stiff or uncontrolled muscle that is difficult to walk or has difficulties with speech and other functions. If a child's condition is cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's referred to as hemiplegia. When it happens on both sides, it's known as diplegia. The severity of CP can lead to a locked-in (spastic) condition with spasticity in muscles that restricts an individual's movements and leads to problems with speech and eating.

Medical mistakes in childbirth are a frequent reason for CP. Doctors, midwives and nurses should be cautious when delivering babies as damage to the brain may cause serious problems. A physician could be held responsible for negligence if a medical error results in cerebral palsy, or brain damage due to oxygen deficiency. This could include negligence in scheduling or performing an urgent C-section, or failing to monitor and escalate a complex labor.

Signs and symptoms

If your child has cerebral palsy, he / she will likely have various physical symptoms. These symptoms could include tight or stiff muscles and a limp, involuntary movements, and issues with balance and posture. Other issues can include speech delays, intellectual disability and hearing and vision issues.

Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by damage to the developing brain, usually during infancy or early childhood. A slowing down in reaching milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling or walking is a typical sign of CP. Children suffering from CP may also have trouble swallowing, and may need a feeding device.

Several factors may contribute to an injury to the brain that results in CP. This includes infections such as toxoplasmosis or rubella during pregnancy; high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a massive lack of oxygen) during delivery or labor is a leading cause of CP.

The symptoms may range from mild to extreme based on the type. The most commonly encountered kind of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral palsy. It is characterised by muscles that are stiff. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also known as choreoathetoid or athetoid) involves slow and uncontrolled motions of the arms, legs and body. Other types of CP can include ataxic palsy, characterized by shakey movements and paraplegic cerebral parsy, in which legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

The specific symptoms of cerebral palsy lawsuits palsy vary, most people with the condition have to deal with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They might also have problems with balance and coordination. The kind of problems they experience is dependent on the area of the brain that was injured as well as its severity.

Many people suffering from CP require specific physical therapy that assists them improve their mobility and muscle tone and stretch and exercise their muscles and joints. It can also relieve discomfort and prevent contractures. It may include exercises, braces that are specially designed, or other treatments.

Musculoskeletal issues like hip dysplasia, patella alta, scoliosis, and cervical stenosis are prevalent in CP. These disorders can lead to major mobility problems that reduce the lifespan.

Speech and therapy for language may be used to help children who are not able to communicate effectively. It can help children develop new ways to communicate and could include sign language, a communication board, or voice synthesizers.

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

Compensation

If your cerebral palsy attorney palsy case is successful, you can be compensated to you pay for special care, equipment, and treatment. The amount will be determined on the mental and physical consequences of your child's condition and any expenses or losses that you might have incurred. This could be a loss of earnings due to having to stop working to take care of your children, home modifications and transportation expenses.

The lawyer you hire may employ an expert in disability according to the severity of the injury to your child. The specialist will write a "life care plan" that details their needs starting at the time of diagnosis until they turn adults. This will help you determine a more accurate amount of compensation. This typically is in the form of a lump sum and regular annual payments that are adjusted to keep pace with the rate of inflation.

It is important to understand that the compensation for a successful legal matter is not a monetary windfall. It's a recognition that injustice has occurred due to a medical professional failed in their obligation to medical care during pregnancy, labour and delivery.