How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy Attorneys paralysis has profound implications on the life of the child and the lives of their parents. Compensation can help them live a full and fulfilling life, with access to equipment, treatment and support.

Medical negligence is often the reason for cerebral palsy. This could be due to the lack of prenatal care, complications during labor and delivery or other incidents.

Causes

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

Everyone suffers from cerebral palsy in a different way. It can be relatively mild and have no impact on the child's capabilities, or it can be severe and cause impairments to all body parts. It can be characterized by a floppy (floppy neck) head, stiff or uncontrolled muscles and walking difficulties, or having difficulty with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy only affects the child's body, then it is called hemiplegia. If it affects both sides of the body, then it's called diplegia. Severe CP can cause a locked-in (spastic) condition with muscle spasticity that limits an individual's movements and leads to issues with speech and eating.

Medical mistakes during childbirth are the leading cause of CP. Doctors, midwives and nurses should be extra cautious when delivering the baby as damage to the brain may have serious consequences. A physician may be held liable for malpractice if a medical error results in cerebral palsy, or brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation. This could include negligence in scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or failing to supervise and escalate the complexity of labor.

Signs and symptoms

If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, they'll most likely show a variety of physical symptoms. They could be characterized by stiff or tight joints and limbs, a limp, erratic movement and issues with balance and posture. Other problems include speech delays, intellectual disabilities as well as hearing and vision issues.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy lawsuits palsy result from damage to the brain's immature state. It is most commonly seen in the infant or early years of childhood. A delay in milestones, such as rolling over, sitting, crawling, or walking can be a sign 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 an injury to the brain that causes CP that can be caused by infections such as rubella, toxoplasmosis or cytomegalovirus in the womb as well as high blood pressure during pregnancy, and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a severe lack of oxygen) during delivery or labor is a leading cause of CP.

Symptoms can range from mild to extreme based on the type. The most common type of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral psoriasis, which is characterized by muscles that are stiff. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called athetoid, choreoathetoid, choreoathetoid), is known as a the uncontrolled writhing and swaying of the arms, legs and the body. Other types of CP include ataxic cerebral Palsy (which has a shaky, jerky movement) or paraplegic CP which affects the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

Although the specific symptoms of cerebral palsy are different, the majority of sufferers of the condition have to deal with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They may also experience issues with balance and coordination. The type of issues they suffer from depend on the area of their brain that was injured as well as its degree of the injury.

Many people suffering from CP require special physical therapy that allows them improve their mobility and muscle tone and stretch and strengthen their muscles and joints. It can also relieve the discomfort and prevent contracture. Braces, exercises or other treatments could be incorporated.

CP is characterized by musculoskeletal disorders such as hip dysplasia and patella alta. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis can also be seen. These can cause major issues in mobility, which decreases the lifespan of a patient.

Other treatments can include speech and language therapies for children who are unable to communicate effectively. This may help children learn new ways to communicate and could include communication board, or voice synthesizers.

These medications can be used to stop the abnormal movement, reduce the pain, and manage seizures. These medications are ingested by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the fluid around the spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful claim for cerebral palsy lawyer palsy could result in compensation for your child to pay for specialist care, equipment and treatment. The amount of compensation will depend on the mental and physical effects of your child's condition as well as any expenses or losses you may have suffered. This could include losing earnings because you have had to leave work in order to care for your child, house modifications and transport costs to get your child to and from appointments.

Based on the extent of your child's injury the lawyer may recommend an expert in disability care to draft a 'life care plan' that meticulously details their needs beginning with the date of their diagnosis until adulthood. This will help you determine a more accurate amount of compensation. This is usually in the form of a lump-sum as well as regular annual payments that can be adjusted to keep pace with inflation.

It is important to know that the amount of compensation you receive for a successful legal claim is not a quick cash payout. It's an acknowledgement of the injustice that occurred due to the fact that a medical professional did not fulfill their duty of care during labour, pregnancy, and delivery.