How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy has profound consequences for the child and their family. Compensation can help them lead an active and full life by providing access to treatment equipment and assistance.

Medical negligence is usually the reason for cerebral palsy. This can be due to the lack of medical attention during pregnancy, issues during birth or other events.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment can help improve the child's capabilities. Doctors determine CP by observing a child's movement, muscle tone and coordination. They might refer the child to specialists, like pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists and physiatrists. These specialists can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Cerebral Palsy affects each person differently. It can be relatively mild and have no impact on the abilities of a child, or it can be severe and cause impairments to all areas of the body. The signs include Floppy head (floppy neck) and a muscles that are stiff or inflexible and walking difficulties, or problems with speech and other functions. If a child has cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's called hemiplegia. If it occurs on both sides, it's known as diplegia. The severity of CP can cause a locked-in (spastic) condition characterized by muscle spasticity that limits the person's movement and can lead to issues with speech and eating.

Childbirth-related mistakes made by doctors are the leading cause of CP. Doctors, midwives, and nurses should be aware when delivering babies because brain damage can cause serious harm. If a medical mistake causes oxygen deprivation or other brain damage that causes cerebral palsy, the doctor may be held liable for negligence. This is the case when scheduling or performing a Csection urgently or failing to supervise and escalate an arduous labor.

Signs and symptoms

If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, they will most likely exhibit a variety of physical signs. They could be characterized by tight joints or stiff joints as well as a limp, uncontrolled movement, and issues with balance and posture. Other problems can include intellectual disability, speech delays and vision and hearing issues.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy result from damage to the brain's immature state. It is most commonly seen during the infancy years of childhood. The delay in milestones such as sitting, Macon cerebral palsy law firm rolling over, walking, or crawling can be a sign of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to experience trouble swallowing and might need a feeding tube.

Many factors can contribute to the development of a brain injury that causes CP, including infections like rubella, toxoplasmosis or cytomegalovirus in the womb, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and genetic predisposition. A severe lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during birth or labor is a major reason for CP and bleeding in the brain that results from blood vessels that are blocked or damaged.

Based on the type of cerebral palsy, the symptoms may vary from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most prevalent form. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called athetoid or choreoathetoid) is characterized by slow and uncontrolled movement of the arms, legs and the body. Other forms of CP may include ataxic Macon Cerebral Palsy Law Firm palsy, characterized by shakey movements, or paraplegic cerebral palsy where the legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

Although the specific symptoms of cerebral palsy are different, the majority of people with the condition have to contend with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They may also experience issues with balance and coordination. The type of movement problem that they experience is based on the area of the brain that was injured and the severity of the injury.

Many people with CP require special physical therapy that can increase their muscle tone, mobility, and stretch their joints and muscles. It can also help relieve discomfort and prevent contractures. It may include exercises, special braces or other treatments.

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

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

These medicines can be used to stop abnormal movements, reduce pain, and control seizures. These medications are taken by mouth or injected into affected muscles or into the fluid around the spinal cord.

Compensation

If your cerebral palsy case is successful, you can receive compensation to cover the cost of special care, equipment, and treatment. This will be based on the physical and psychological impact that your child's condition has caused on them, in addition to any losses and expenses you've had to pay. This could include the loss of income due to you having to quit work to care for your children, house modifications and transportation costs.

Your lawyer might hire an expert in disability care, depending on the severity of the injuries to your child. The specialist will write an "life care plan" that will outline their needs from the time of diagnosis until they reach the age of adulthood. This will help you determine an accurate amount of compensation. It is typically in the form of a lump sum and recurring annual payments which could be indexed to keep pace with the rate of inflation.

It is important to know that compensation for a successful legal case is not a monetary windfall. It's a recognition that injustice has occurred due to medical professionals didn't fulfill their duty of taking care during labour, pregnancy and delivery.