How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy lawsuit paralysis can have profound effects on the child's life and the lives of their family. Compensation can allow them to have a fulfilling life by giving them access to equipment, treatment and assistance.

Many cases of cerebral palsy result from medical negligence. This can be due to a lack of care during pregnancy, or problems during birth, or other occurrences.

Causes

There is no cure for CP, but early diagnosis and treatment may improve the abilities of a child. Doctors determine CP through a child's movement, muscle tone 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.

Cerebral palsy affects every person differently. It can be mild with minimal impact on a child's ability function, or severe and cause physical impairments throughout the body. It can be characterized by a floppy (floppy neck) head and muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled and walking difficulties, or having difficulty with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy is only affecting one side of a child's body, then it is known as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides of the body, it is known as diplegia. Severe CP may lead to a locked in (spastic) condition, which is characterized by muscle spasticity. This can limit the person's mobility and cause difficulty with speech and eating.

Medical mistakes in childbirth are a frequent cause of CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses should be extra cautious when delivering babies because damage to the brain can cause serious problems. If a medical mistake causes oxygen deprivation or other brain injury that causes cerebral palsy, the physician could be held responsible for negligence. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or failing to supervise and escalate an intense labor.

Symptoms

If your child has cerebral palsy, he or is likely to experience an array of physical symptoms. This could include stiff or tight joints or muscles, a limp, involuntary movement and issues with balance and posture. Other issues include speech delays, intellectual disabilities as well as hearing and vision issues.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy result from damage to the brain's immature state. It usually occurs in the early years of childhood. A delay in achieving milestones such as rolling over, standing up, crawling or walking is a common sign of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to have difficulties swallowing and may require feeding tubes.

Many factors can contribute to the development of an injury to the brain that causes CP that can be caused by infections such as toxoplasmosis, rubella or cytomegalovirus in the womb and high blood pressure during pregnancy, and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a serious lack of oxygen) during labor or delivery is the main cause of CP.

The symptoms can range from mild to severe based on the type of. Spastic cerebral palsy - vimeo.com - (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most frequent form. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy law firm Palsy (also called athetoid choreoathetoid or choreoathetoid) is known as a the uncontrolled writhing and swaying of the arms, legs and body. Other forms of CP may include ataxic cerebral palsy that has a shaky motion, or paraplegic cerebral palsy where the legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

While the symptoms specific to cerebral palsy differ, the majority of people suffering from the condition are required to cope with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They might also have problems with coordination and balance. The kind of problems they have depend on the part of the brain that was injured and the severity.

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

CP is defined by musculoskeletal problems, such as hip dysplasia and patella alta. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis are also common. These conditions can cause significant mobility issues that reduce the lifespan.

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

The use of medications can relax overactive or stiff muscles, reduce abnormal movement, reduce pain, and manage seizures. These medications can be administered orally, or directly injected into the affected muscles, or into the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful cerebral palsy claim can result in compensation for your child to pay for special care, equipment and treatment. The compensation will be based on the mental and physical consequences of your child's condition, as well as on any expenses or losses you may have suffered. This could include the loss of earnings as you had to take a break from work to take care of your child, home adaptions and transportation costs to transport your child to and from appointments.

Your lawyer could hire an expert in disability according to the severity of the injuries to your child. This specialist will draft a "life care plan" that will outline their needs from the time of diagnosis until they become adults. This will help you determine the most accurate amount of compensation. This usually takes the form of a lump sum and recurring annual payments which can be index to keep up with the rate of inflation.

You must be aware that the compensation awarded for a successful legal matter is not a quick cash payout. It's a recognition of the fact that injustice has occurred, and all due to a medical professional failed in their obligation to providing care during labor, pregnancy and the birth.