How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy has profound consequences for the child and their family. Compensation can allow them to live a full and fulfilling life, with access to the equipment, care and assistance.

Many cases of cerebral palsy result from medical negligence. This could be due to the lack of medical attention during pregnancy, difficulties during delivery or other incidents.

Causes

Early diagnosis and treatment for CP can improve a child’s abilities. Doctors diagnose CP by observing the muscle tone of a child and coordination. They might refer the child to specialists such as pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists, and physiatrists. These specialists can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Every person suffers from cerebral palsy in a unique way. It can be mild and have little impact on a child's abilities but it can also be severe and cause impairments to every body part. Some of the symptoms include the appearance of a floppy (floppy neck) head as well as stiff or uncontrolled muscles and walking difficulties, or having difficulty speaking and other functions. If cerebral palsy is only affecting one side of a child's body, it is called hemiplegia. If it affects both sides, it is referred to as diplegia. A severe CP can cause a locked-in (spastic), condition with muscle spasticity. This may limit the person's mobility and create difficulties with speech and eating.

The occurrence of medical errors during childbirth is a leading cause of CP. Nurses, Hernando Cerebral Palsy Attorney doctors, and midwives should be cautious when delivering babies because damage to the brain may cause serious harm. A physician may be held liable for negligence if a medical error results in cerebral palsy or brain damage due to oxygen deficiency. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or inability to supervise and escalate the complexity of labor.

Signs and symptoms

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, they will most likely display a variety of physical symptoms. These symptoms could include tight or stiff muscles, a limp, uncontrolled movements, as well as issues with posture and balance. Other problems include intellectual disabilities, speech delays as well as hearing and vision issues.

Cerebral palsy symptoms are triggered by damage to the developing brain, usually during infancy or early childhood. A delay in milestones such as sitting, rolling over, walking, or crawling may be an indication of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to have trouble swallowing and might need feeding tubes.

Several factors can contribute to the development of a brain injury that triggers CP, including infections like rubella, cytomegalovirus, or toxoplasmosis in the womb and high blood pressure in pregnancy, and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a severe lack of oxygen) during labor or birth is the leading cause of CP.

Based on the type of cerebral palsy, the symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most frequent type. Dyskinetic cupertino cerebral palsy lawsuit palsy (also called athetoid or choreoathetoid) involves uncontrolled and slow motions of the arms, legs and the body. Other forms of CP include ataxic Hernando cerebral palsy attorney Palsy (which is characterized by a shaky motion) or paraplegic CP that affects the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

Although the symptoms of cerebral palsy may differ, the majority of people who suffer from the condition experience stiffness and loss in muscle control. They may also have problems with coordination and balance. The kind of problems they experience will depend on the part of the brain that was injured and the severity.

Many people suffering from CP require specific physical therapy that assists them improve their muscle tone and mobility and stretch and work their muscles and joints. It can also relieve discomfort and prevent contracture. It can include exercises, braces with special features, or other treatments.

Musculoskeletal conditions like patella alta, hip dysplasia, cervical stenosis, and scoliosis are common in CP. These disorders can lead to significant mobility issues and reduce life expectancy.

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

These medicines can be used to reduce abnormal movements, ease the pain, and manage seizures. These medications can be administered orally or injected directly into the muscles affected, or into the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful claim for cerebral palsy can result in compensation for your child to pay for specialist care, equipment and treatment. This will be based on the psychological and physical impacts that your child's condition has caused on them, in addition to any expenses and losses you've incurred. This could include lost earnings due to you having to work less to care for your children, home adaptations and transport expenses.

Depending on the severity of your child's injuries, your lawyer may hire an expert in disability services to create a "life care plan' that clearly outlines all their needs starting from the date of their diagnosis until adulthood. This can help you calculate the most accurate amount of compensation. This typically will be a lump sum and regular annual payments that are adjusted to reflect inflation.

You must be aware that the amount of compensation you receive for a successful legal case is not a windfall. It's a recognition that injustice was committed, all because a medical professional failed in their obligation to providing care during labor, pregnancy and delivery.