How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy has a profound effect on the child and their family. Compensation can allow them to live a full life with access to equipment, treatment and assistance.

Medical negligence is usually the cause of cerebral palsy. It can be caused by an absence of prenatal care, problems during labor and delivery, or other occurrences.

Causes

Early diagnosis and treatment for CP can improve a child’s abilities. Doctors determine CP by observing a child's movement, muscle tone and coordination. They might refer a child to specialists such as neurologists, pediatric orthopedists, and physiatrists who can assist in managing symptoms and increase the quality of life.

Cerebral palsy affects all people differently. It can be mild and have little impact on the child's capabilities however, it can also be severe and cause impairments across every body part. The symptoms can include a floppy head (floppy neck), muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled and walking difficulties, or issues with speech or other functions. If cerebral palsy only affects one side of a child's body, then it is known as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides, it is known as diplegia. The severity of CP can lead to a locked-in (spastic) condition characterized by muscle spasticity that restricts the movement of a person and can lead to difficulties in speaking and eating.

Birth complications are a common cause of CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses must be cautious when giving birth to babies because damage to the brain may cause serious harm. A doctor could be held accountable for malpractice if a medical error results in cerebral palsy or brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. This includes negligence in scheduling or performing an urgent C-section, or failing to monitor and escalate a complicated labor.

Signs and symptoms

If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, they will likely exhibit a range of physical signs. These could include stiff or tight joints as well as a limp, uncontrolled movement and problems with balance and posture. Other issues could include intellectual disabilities, speech delays and hearing and vision problems.

cerebral palsy attorney palsy symptoms are triggered by damage to the immature brain, which is usually seen in the early years of childhood or in infants. A delay in reaching milestones such as rolling over, cerebral palsy sitting up, crawling, or walking is a common sign of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to experience trouble swallowing and might need a feeding tube.

Numerous factors can contribute to the development of a brain injury that causes CP and other conditions, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus or toxoplasmosis in the womb and high blood pressure in pregnancy, and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a serious lack of oxygen) during delivery or labor is the main cause of CP.

Symptoms can be mild or severe depending on the type. The most common type of cerebral palsy lawsuits palsy is spastic cerebral psoriasis, which is characterized by muscles that are stiff. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called athetoid or choreoathetoid) is characterized by slow and uncontrolled flailing movements of the arms, legs and the body. Other types of CP include ataxic cerebral palsy (which has a shaky, jerky movement) or paraplegic CP, where the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

While the symptoms of cerebral palsy vary, the majority of patients with the condition experience stiffness and decrease in muscle control. They may also experience issues with coordination and balance. The type of movement issue that they have depends on what area of the brain was injured and the extent 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 can also help relieve discomfort and prevent contracture. It can include exercises, special braces or other treatments.

CP is defined by musculoskeletal problems, such as hip dysplasia and patella alta. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis can also be seen. These can cause major issues in mobility, which reduces life expectancy.

Other treatments could include speech and language therapies for children who are unable to communicate effectively. This may help them discover new ways to communicate and could include sign language, communication boards or voice synthesizers.

Medications can be used to relax overactive or stiff muscles to reduce abnormal movement, reduce pain, and manage seizures. These medications are taken by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the fluid around the spinal cord.

Compensation

If your case of cerebral palsy is successful, you will be awarded compensation to provide your child with medical equipment, specialist care and treatment. This will be based on the psychological and physical impacts that your child's condition has had on them, as well as any costs or losses you have incurred. This could include lost earnings because you had to take a break from work to care for your children, home modifications and transport expenses.

Your lawyer might hire an expert in disability according to the severity of the injury to your child. The specialist will write an "life care plan" that will outline their needs from the time of diagnosis until they reach the age of adulthood. This will allow you to calculate a more accurate compensation sum. It usually takes the form of a lump-sum and regular annual payments, which could be indexed to keep up with inflation.

It is important to know that the compensation resulting from a successful legal case isn't a quick buck. It's a recognition of the fact that injustice has occurred, all because medical professionals didn't fulfill their obligation to providing care during labor, pregnancy and delivery.