How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy can have profound effects on the child and their family. Compensation can allow them to live a full and fulfilling life, with access to equipment, treatment and support.

Medical negligence is often the cause of cerebral palsy. It can be caused by a lack of medical attention prior to pregnancy, problems during labour and delivery or other incidents.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment may improve the abilities of a child. Doctors determine CP by observing the child's movements, muscle tone and coordination. They may refer children to specialists such as neurologists, pediatric orthopedists, and physiatrists who will aid in managing symptoms and improve the quality of life for children.

Every person suffers from cerebral palsy differently. It can be mild and have a minimal impact on the abilities of a child, or it can be severe and cause impairments to all body parts. The signs can include a Floppy head (floppy neck) and a stiff or uncontrolled muscle that is difficult to walk or has problems with speech and other functions. If a child only has cerebral palsy lawsuit palsy on one side of the body, it's known as hemiplegia. On both sides, it's called diplegia. In severe cases, CP could result in locked in (spastic), condition with muscle spasticity. This can limit the movement of a person and result in difficulty speaking and eating.

Birth-related medical errors are the leading cause of CP. Doctors, midwives, and nurses should be aware when delivering babies because brain damage may have serious consequences. If a medical mistake results in oxygen deprivation, or other brain injuries that cause cerebral palsy attorney palsy, the doctor could be held responsible for negligence. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing an urgent C-section, or inability to monitor and Cerebral palsy escalate a complicated labor.

Symptoms

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, they will likely exhibit a range of physical signs. These symptoms may include tight or stiff muscles and a limp, involuntary movements, and problems with balance and posture. Other issues include speech delays, intellectual disabilities as well as hearing and vision problems.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy are caused by damage to the brain's maturation. It is most commonly seen in the infant or early years of childhood. A delay in reaching milestones such as rolling over, standing up, crawling or walking is a typical sign of CP. Children suffering from CP may also have difficulties swallowing and may require a feeding device.

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

Symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the type. The most frequent type of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral palsy, which is defined by muscles that are stiff. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called athetoid or choreoathetoid) involves uncontrolled and slow flailing movements of the arms, legs and body. Other types of CP include ataxic cerebral palsy (which has a shaky, jerky movement) or paraplegic CP that affects the legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

While the symptoms specific to cerebral palsy vary, most people suffering from the condition are required to deal with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They may also be struggling with balance and coordination. The type of movement issue that they face is determined by the area of the brain that was injured and the severity of the injury.

Many people with CP require special physical therapy that allows them improve their muscle tone and mobility and stretch and exercise their muscles and joints. It can also ease discomfort and prevent contractures. It can include exercises, braces with special features, or other treatments.

Musculoskeletal disorders like patella alta, hip dysplasia, scoliosis, and cervical stenosis are common in CP. These can cause major problems in mobility, which can reduce the life expectancy of patients.

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

These medications can be used to stop the abnormal movement, reduce pain, and control seizures. These medications can be taken by mouth or directly into the muscles affected, or into the fluid around your spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful cerebral palsy claim can result in compensation for your child's for specialist care, equipment and treatment. The amount will be determined upon the physical and mental effects of your child's condition and any losses or expenses you may have incurred. This could include the loss of income because you had to work less to take care of your children, home modifications and transport costs.

Depending on the extent of your child's injury the lawyer may recommend a specialist in disability care to draft a 'life care plan' that meticulously lists all the needs of your child from the time of their diagnosis until adulthood. This can help calculate the most accurate compensation amount. It usually takes the form of a lump sum and annual installments, which could be indexed to keep up with inflation.

You should be aware that the amount of compensation you receive from a legal claim isn't a windfall. It is a recognition that injustice was committed, all because medical professionals did not fulfill their obligation to medical care during pregnancy, labour and delivery.