How to File a Cerebral Palsy Case

south tucson cerebral palsy attorney Palsy is a permanent condition that requires medical attention. Children suffering from CP typically visit a pediatrician as well as a physical rehabilitation and medicine specialist. Their doctors will conduct a thorough physical examination and will take a complete medical history and perform tests such as MRI or CT scans.

A cerebral palsy attorney can assist families to obtain fair compensation for the lifetime needs of their child. Contact us today to arrange an appointment for a free case evaluation.

Diagnosis

Cerebral palsy is a permanent condition that affects movement, posture, coordination and balance. It is caused by damage or abnormalities to the brain's parts that regulate the movement of muscles. It usually manifests before or shortly after birth.

Doctors can diagnose cerebral palsy based on a child's symptoms and medical history, physical exam, milestones, growth, and the results of diagnostic tests. They can refer an infant, toddler, or child to specialists like pediatric orthopedists, neurologists, and physiatrists. Tests of urine, blood and skin could also be ordered.

Babies born with CP frequently have delays in the development milestones, and have stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes that are not present in normal infants. Low Apgar scores can also indicate oxygen deprivation. It can be difficult to diagnose the condition in infants who are still developing. A definitive diagnosis is typically made by the age of two. The sooner a child's illness is diagnosed, the better the treatment will be. Many families are able to find support groups, organizations and counseling services for their children.

Symptoms

The symptoms of patchogue cerebral palsy lawsuit paralysis manifest in early childhood and result from damage to the brain area that regulates posture and movement. This damage is not reversible, and it affects the coordination of muscles and body movements.

Children with dyskinetic cerebral paralysis experience uncontrolled, jerky movements in the feet, hands, and arms. They might also have a hard time reaching up, picking up objects and coloring with crayons. They may drool or have difficulty holding their balance.

Ataxic CP is the least frequent type, which results in disorganized and East Lansing Cerebral Palsy Law Firm clumsy movement. Hypotonic patients CP have low muscle tone and their arms and legs move easily and are similar to those of a Rag doll.

Doctors typically diagnose children with CP within the first two years of their lives, unless it is not severe or in which case they could make a diagnosis at age four or five. To lower the risk of developing CP, women should get immunized prior to pregnancy against diseases that could cause brain damage in the fetus, including rubella and German measles. Prenatal care is important for all pregnant mothers to prevent complications like premature birth and low weight at birth.

Treatment

Cerebral paralysis can be caused by anything that interferes with brain development, from maternal infections due to pregnancy, to complications arising during labor and delivery to head injuries. Babies born before 32 weeks or with a low birth weight are at a higher risk of cerebral palsy. Inflammation caused by rubella (German Measles) Herpes, cytomegalovirus, herpes and maternal fever during pregnancy can harm the nervous system in development.

Each individual's CP treatment plan differs for each patient. A pediatric specialist, physical and rehabilitation doctor or neurologist will oversee medical care and create treatment plans that take care of specific symptoms and needs.

Treatments to ease the tightness of muscles (such as onabotulinumtoxinA or Botox) could be used to improve function and ease discomfort or other signs. Surgery can be used to lengthen muscles that are stiff and contracted, or to correct spinal problems such as an unnaturally bent back, especially in severe cases of CP.

Speech therapists help children learn to communicate and speak and teach parents how to facilitate their child's communication skills. Recreational therapy involves children in enjoyable activities to boost social interaction, self-esteem and motor skill development.

Support

The appropriate support can make a huge difference. Parents and children suffering from cerebral palsy will find an entire community of families who can relate to their experiences through a local gathering or online groups. Many groups also host fundraisers that raise awareness and funds for the condition.

Teachers can aid children with cerebral palsy in the classroom. They can make plans for students who are unable to attend class due to doctor's appointments or taking medication. They can also make accommodations for students in the classroom like allowing students to travel between classes, take exams or attend doctor visits.

Adults suffering from CP can seek out advice from an occupational therapist regarding independence, such as the need for housing, obtaining jobs and benefits. They can also speak to their doctor to determine whether their medications are effective and if something could cause them to feel worse.

The Cerebral Palsy Research and Clinical Center of Michigan maintains an inventory of local specialists who specialize in this condition. The database is accessible to residents of Michigan and lets them search by insurance company.

Legal Issues

Your cerebral palsy lawyer will assist you in negotiating an equitable settlement with the medical professionals who are responsible for your child's injuries. The legal procedure involves gathering more evidence to show that the medical professionals and facilities involved in your child's birth injury committed negligence, causing brain injury and resulting in piedmont cerebral palsy attorney palsy.

A legal claim is a means to seek financial compensation for the losses suffered by your family members and for the future costs that are anticipated. It's also about making changes and further procedures to stop such injuries from occurring to children of other children in the future.

Some parents fear that filing a medical malpractice lawsuit can make them appear greedy or that they don't appreciate their child for who they are. But the reality is that the lifetime cost of caring for a person who suffers from CP can reach into the millions.

It is essential to speak an attorney for medical malpractice whenever you can. Each state has its own time limit for filing a lawsuit and the sooner you begin your case the more favorable. A lawyer can help you understand the laws that apply to your area, and what you need to do in the next step.