How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy law firms paralysis has profound implications on the life of the child as well as the lives of their families. Compensation can help them lead an active and fulfilling life by providing access equipment and assistance.

Many cases of cerebral palsy arise from medical negligence. It can be caused by a lack of medical attention prior to pregnancy, problems during labor and birth or other occurrences.

Causes

There is no cure for CP but early detection and treatment can improve the capabilities of a child. Doctors diagnose CP through the child's muscle tone and coordination. They might refer the child to specialists, like pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists or physiatrists. These specialists can assist in managing symptoms and improve quality of life.

Every person is affected by cerebral palsy in different ways. It can be mild with minimal impact on a child's ability to function, or it can be extremely severe and result in impairments throughout the body. The signs include head that is floppy (floppy neck), stiff or uncontrolled muscle and walking difficulties, or difficulties with speech and other functions. If a child has cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's known as hemiplegia. When it happens on both sides, it's diplegia. The severity of CP can lead to a locked-in (spastic) condition that is characterized by muscle spasticity that limits the person's movement and can lead to issues with speech and eating.

Childbirth-related mistakes made by doctors are one of the main causes of CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses must be careful when delivering the baby as damage to the brain 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 failing to monitor and increase an intense labor.

Symptoms

If your child has cerebral palsy, he or will likely suffer from several physical symptoms. These could include stiff or tight joints and limbs, a limp, erratic movement and issues with balance and posture. Other problems include intellectual disabilities, speech delays as well as hearing and vision problems.

Cerebral Palsy symptoms are caused by damage to the developing brain, most often in early childhood or infants. A delay in milestones like rolling over, sitting, walking, or crawling could be an indication of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to experience difficulty swallowing and may require feeding tubes.

Several factors can contribute to the development of an injury to the brain that causes CP, including infections like rubella, toxoplasmosis or cytomegalovirus in the womb as well as high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. A significant lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during birth or labor is a major cause for CP as is bleeding in the brain due to blocked or broken blood vessels.

Symptoms may range from mild to severe depending on the type. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most common type. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called athetoid, choreoathetoid, choreoathetoid), is known as 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 shakey movement) or paraplegic CP in which the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

While the symptoms of cerebral palsy vary, cerebral palsy the majority of patients with the condition experience stiffness and decrease in muscle control. They may also experience issues with balance and coordination. The type of movement problems they have depend on the region of the brain that was injured as well as its severity.

Many people suffering from CP require special physical therapy which helps them to improve their muscle tone and mobility and stretch and exercise their muscles and joints. It can also help relieve the pain and prevent contractures. It can include exercises, special braces or other treatments.

Musculoskeletal disorders such as hip dysplasia, patella alta, scoliosis, and cervical stenosis are common in CP. These can cause significant issues in mobility, which can reduce life expectancy.

Speech and therapy for language may be used to assist children who are not able to communicate effectively. This can help children learn new ways of communicating and could include sign language, communication board or voice synthesizers.

These medications can be used to stop abnormal movements, reduce pain, and prevent seizures. These medications can be administered orally or directly into the muscles affected, or into the surrounding fluid of your spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful cerebral palsy claim can result in compensation for your child's for medical equipment, specialist care and treatment. The amount of compensation will depend upon the physical and mental impact of your child's condition and any expenses or losses you may have suffered. This could include the loss of earnings because you have had stop work to care for your child, home adaptations and transportation costs to transport your child to and from appointments.

Depending on the extent of your child's injury the lawyer might recommend hiring an expert in disability care to develop a "lifecare plan' that meticulously defines their needs from the time of their diagnosis until adulthood. This can help calculate an accurate amount of compensation. It typically takes the form of an amount in lump sum and annual payments, which can be adjusted to reflect inflation.

It is important to be aware that compensation from a successful legal action isn't a gimmick. It's an acknowledgement that injustice has occurred, all because a medical professional failed in their duty of medical care during pregnancy, labour and delivery.