How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy Attorneys paralysis has an enormous impact on the life of the child and the lives of their parents. Compensation can help them lead an active and fulfilling life by providing access to treatment, equipment and assistance.

Many cases of cerebral palsy result from medical negligence. It could be due to a lack of care during pregnancy, problems during the birth process or other incidents.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment can improve the child's capabilities. Doctors diagnose CP by observing the tone of a child's muscles, movement 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 quality of life.

Everyone is affected by cerebral palsy in a different way. It can be relatively mild and have no impact on the abilities of a child but it can also be severe and cause impairments to every body part. The symptoms can include a floppy head (floppy neck) stiff or uncontrolled muscle, difficulty walking or having difficulties with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy only affects one side of the child's body, it is called hemiplegia. If it affects both sides, it is referred to as diplegia. The severity of CP can cause a locked in (spastic) condition, which is characterized by muscle spasticity. This can limit the ability of a person to move and can cause difficulty with speech and eating.

Birth-related medical errors are the leading cause of CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses must be extra cautious when giving birth to babies because brain damage can cause serious harm. A physician may be held liable for malpractice if a medical mistake results in cerebral palsy or brain damage caused by oxygen deficiency. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or inability to monitor and escalate a complex labor.

Signs and symptoms

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

The symptoms of cerebral palsy result from damage to an immature brain. It usually occurs in the infant or early years of childhood. A delay in milestones like rolling over, sitting, walking, or crawling may be a sign of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to have trouble swallowing and might need a feeding tube.

Many factors can contribute to a brain injury that leads to CP. These include infections such as toxoplasmosis or rubella in the womb; high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a severe lack of oxygen) during delivery or labor is the most common cause of CP.

The symptoms may range from mild to extreme based on the type. The most common type of cerebral palsy can be described as spastic cerebral psoriasis, which is characterized by stiff muscles. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also known as choreoathetoid or athetoid) is characterized by slow, uncontrolled writhing movements of the arms, legs and body. Other forms of CP include ataxic cerebral Palsy (which has a shaky, jerky movement) or paraplegic CP which affects the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

Although cerebral palsy symptoms vary, the majority of people who suffer from the condition experience stiffness and decrease in muscle control. They may also have problems with balance and coordination. The type of problems they have depend on the area of the brain that was injured as well as the degree of the injury.

Many people suffering from CP need special physical therapy that can increase their mobility, tone of muscles and stretch their muscles and joints. It also helps relieve tension and prevent contractures. Braces, exercises, or other treatments can be incorporated.

Musculoskeletal disorders like patella alta, hip dysplasia, scoliosis, and cervical stenosis are common in CP. These conditions can cause major mobility problems that reduce the lifespan.

Other treatments may include speech and language therapy for children who are unable to communicate effectively. This may help children learn new ways to communicate and could include sign language, communication board, or voice synthesizers.

These medicines can be used to stop abnormal movements, decrease the pain, and manage seizures. These medications can be administered orally, or directly injected into the affected muscles, or into the fluid around your spinal cord.

Compensation

If your cerebral palsy lawsuit palsy case is successful, you could receive compensation to pay for your child's specialist care, equipment, and treatment. This will be determined by the physical and psychological impact that your child's condition has had on them, as well as any expenses and losses you've had to pay. This could be a loss of earnings due to you having to quit work to care for your children, home modifications and transport costs.

Your lawyer may hire an expert in disability care according to the severity of the injury to your child. The specialist will write a "life care plan" which outlines the needs of your child from the moment they are diagnosed until they become adults. This will help you calculate the most accurate compensation amount. It is typically in the form of a lump sum and recurring annual payments which can be index to keep pace with inflation.

You must be aware that the amount of compensation you receive for a successful legal case is not a monetary windfall. It's an acknowledgement that injustice has occurred due to medical professionals didn't fulfill their obligation to providing care during labor, pregnancy and the birth.