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 that of their family. Compensation can enable them to lead an active and healthy life by providing access, equipment and support.

Medical negligence is often the cause of cerebral palsy. It can be caused by the lack of prenatal care, complications during labor and birth or other occurrences.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment can help improve the child's capabilities. Doctors diagnose CP by looking at the child's muscle tone, movement and coordination. They may refer the child to specialists such as neurologists, orthopedists for children and physiatrists who will aid in managing symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Everyone is affected by cerebral palsy in a unique way. It can be moderate and have only a slight impact on the child's capabilities, or it can be severe and cause impairments across every body part. The signs include head that is floppy (floppy neck) as well as a stiff or uncontrolled muscle, difficulty walking or cerebral Palsy having difficulties with speech and other functions. If a child only has cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's referred to as hemiplegia. On both sides, it's called diplegia. Severe CP could result in a locked-in (spastic) condition, which is characterized by muscle spasticity. This can restrict a person's movement and create difficulties with speech and eating.

Birth complications are the most common reason for CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses must be aware when delivering babies since brain damage can have serious consequences. A doctor could be held accountable for malpractice if a medical mistake results in cerebral palsy, or brain damage caused by oxygen deficiency. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing an urgent C-section or inability to supervise and escalate the complexity of labor.

Symptoms

If your child has cerebral palsy, he or is likely to experience several physical symptoms. These symptoms may include tight or stiff muscles, a limp, uncontrolled movements, and problems with posture and balance. Other issues include intellectual disabilities, speech delays as well as hearing and vision issues.

Cerebral palsy symptoms are caused by a degeneration of the brain, which is usually seen during infancy or early childhood. A slowing down in reaching 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 leads to CP or CP-related conditions, including infections such as rubella, toxoplasmosis or cytomegalovirus in the womb and high blood pressure in pregnancy, and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a severe deficiency of oxygen) during delivery or labor is the most common cause of CP.

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, symptoms may range from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most commonly encountered form. Dyskinetic cerebral Palsy (also known as athetoid choreoathetoid, or choreoathetoid) is known as a uncontrolled and slow writhing of the legs, arms and body. Other forms of CP may include ataxic cerebral palsy that has an unstable motion and paraplegic cerebral parsy in which the legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

Though the symptoms of cerebral palsy can vary, the majority of people who suffer from the condition experience stiffness, as well as a decrease in muscle control. They may also experience issues with balance and coordination. The type of movement problem that they suffer from is dependent on what area of the brain was injured and the extent of the injury.

Many people suffering from CP require specialized physical therapy that helps them to improve their muscle tone and mobility and stretch and strengthen their muscles and Cerebral Palsy joints. It can also help relieve pain and prevent contracture. Exercises, braces or other treatments can be considered.

Musculoskeletal disorders like patella alta, hip dysplasia, scoliosis, and cervical stenosis are prevalent in CP. These conditions can cause significant mobility issues which can reduce the life expectancy of patients.

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

These medicines can be used to decrease abnormal movements, reduce seizures, and ease pain. The medications are administered by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.

Compensation

If your cerebral palsy case is successful, you could receive compensation to cover the cost of specialist care, equipment, and treatment. This will be based on the psychological and physical effects that your child's condition has had on them, as well as any costs or losses you have incurred. This could include loss of earnings due to having to take a break from work to care for your children, home modifications and transport costs.

Based on the degree of the injury to your child the lawyer may recommend an expert in disability services to create a "life care plan' that clearly details their needs starting from the date of their diagnosis until adulthood. This can help you calculate a more accurate amount of compensation. This usually takes the form of a lump-sum and annual installments, which may be indexed to keep up with inflation.

It is important to understand that the amount of compensation you receive for a legal case that is successful is not a cash-flow opportunity. It's an acknowledgement that injustice has occurred due to a medical professional failed in their duty of medical care during pregnancy, labour and delivery.