The 10 Scariest Things About Cerebral Palsy Attorneys

How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis can have a profound impact on the life of the child as well as the lives of their parents. Compensation can help them live a fuller life, with access to the equipment, care and support.

Medical negligence is often the reason for cerebral palsy. This can be caused by a lack of prenatal care, problems during labor and delivery, or other incidents.

Causes

There is no cure for CP but early detection and treatment can improve the capabilities of a child. Doctors determine CP by observing the child's muscle tone and coordination. They might refer the child to specialists like neurologists, orthopedists for children and physiatrists who can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for Cerebral Palsy Attorney children.

Everyone suffers from cerebral palsy differently. It can be moderate and have only a slight impact on the child's capabilities, or it can be severe and cause impairments in all areas of the body. The signs can include a Floppy head (floppy neck), muscles that are stiff or inflexible, difficulty walking or having problems with speech and other functions. If Cerebral Palsy Attorney palsy affects only the child's body, then it is referred to as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides of the body, then it is called diplegia. The severity of CP can cause a locked-in (spastic) condition that causes muscle spasticity, which restricts the movement of a person and can lead to difficulties in speaking and eating.

Birth complications are an often-repeated cause of CP. Nurses, midwives, and doctors must be careful when delivering babies because damage to the brain could result in serious consequences. If a medical error causes oxygen deprivation or other brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy, the physician could be held responsible for negligence. This is the case when scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or failing to monitor and escalate an intense labor.

Symptoms

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, he or will likely suffer from an array of physical symptoms. These symptoms may include tight or stiff muscles as well as a limp, uncontrolled movements, and problems with balance and posture. Other issues include intellectual disabilities, speech delays as well as hearing and vision problems.

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 achieving milestones such as sitting up, crawling or walking is a common symptom of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to have difficulty swallowing and may require a feeding tube.

Several factors can contribute to the development of a brain injury that causes CP that can be caused by infections such as toxoplasmosis, rubella or cytomegalovirus in the womb and high blood pressure during pregnancy, and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a severe deficiency of oxygen) during labor or delivery is the most common cause of CP.

Based on the kind of cerebral palsy, symptoms can range from mild to severe. The most prevalent type of cerebral palsy can be described as spastic cerebral palsy, which is characterized by muscles that are stiff. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also known as choreoathetoid or athetoid) involves slow and uncontrolled movement of the arms, legs and the body. Other types of CP could include ataxic cerebral palsy, characterized by shakey movements or paraplegic cerebral aphasia in which legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

While the symptoms of cerebral palsy attorneys palsy differ, most people who suffer from the condition experience stiffness and decrease in muscle control. They may also be struggling with coordination and Cerebral Palsy Attorney balance. The type of movement problem that they suffer from is dependent on the brain region that was injured and the degree of the injury.

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

CP is caused by musculoskeletal issues, such as patella alta and hip dysplasia. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis also occur. These disorders can lead to major mobility problems and reduce life expectancy.

Other treatments may include speech and language therapy for children who cannot communicate effectively. This may help children learn new ways to communicate. This could include sign language, a communication board, or voice synthesizers.

These medications can be used to relax stiff or overactive muscles to reduce abnormal movement, relieve pain, and control seizures. These medications can be taken orally or injected directly into the affected muscles or into the surrounding fluid of your spinal cord.

Compensation

If your case of cerebral palsy is successful, you can be compensated to you pay for medical attention, equipment and treatment. The compensation will be based on the physical and mental impact of your child's condition as well as any expenses or losses you may have suffered. This could include loss of earnings due to having to work less to take care of your children, home modifications and transport costs.

Your lawyer may hire an expert in disability care in accordance with the extent of the injury to your child. This specialist will draft an "life care plan" that outlines their needs from the moment they are diagnosed until they are adults. This will help you calculate an exact compensation amount. This usually takes the form of a lump sum and recurring annual payments which can be index to keep up with inflation.

You should be aware that compensation from a successful legal case isn't a quick buck. It's a way of acknowledging an unfairness that was caused by the medical professional failed to fulfill their duty of care during labour, pregnancy and delivery.