How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy has an impact on the child and their family. Compensation can enable them to lead an active and fulfilling life by allowing access to care equipment and assistance.

Medical negligence is often the reason for cerebral palsy. It can be caused by inadequate prenatal care, problems during labour and delivery or other incidents.

Causes

There is no cure for CP but early detection and treatment can improve the abilities of a child. Doctors determine CP based on the child's movements, muscle coordination and tone. They may refer children to specialists such as neurologists, orthopedists for children and Cerebral Palsy physiatrists who can assist in managing symptoms and increase life-quality.

boca raton cerebral palsy law firm palsy affects all people differently. It can be moderate and have only a slight impact on a child's abilities however, it can also be severe and cause impairments across all areas of the body. It can be characterized by a floppy (floppy neck) head and muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled as well as difficulty walking or having difficulty with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy is only affecting the child's body, it is known as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides, it is known as diplegia. Severe CP can lead to a locked-in (spastic) condition characterized by muscle spasticity that limits the movement of a person and can lead to difficulties with speech and eating.

Childbirth-related medical errors are the most common cause of CP. Doctors, midwives and nurses must be cautious when delivering babies because brain damage may result in serious consequences. If a medical mistake results in oxygen deprivation or other brain damage that causes cerebral palsy, the doctor could be held accountable for negligence. This is the case when scheduling or performing a C section urgently or failing to monitor and escalate the intensity of labor.

Symptoms

If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, he or will likely suffer from an array of physical symptoms. These symptoms could include tight or stiff muscles and a limp, involuntary movements, as well as issues with posture and balance. Other issues include speech delays, intellectual disabilities as well as hearing and vision problems.

Cerebral palsy symptoms are triggered by damage to the developing brain, typically in infancy or early childhood. A delay in reaching milestones, such as sitting up, crawling, or walking is a typical sign of CP. Children suffering from CP might also have trouble swallowing, and may need a feeding device.

Many factors can contribute to an injury to the brain that results in CP. These include infections like toxoplasmosis and rubella during pregnancy; high blood pressure during pregnancy; and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a massive lack of oxygen) during labor or birth is the leading cause of CP.

The symptoms can be mild or severe based on the type of. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most prevalent type. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also known as choreoathetoid or athetoid) is characterized by slow and uncontrolled writhing movements of the arms, legs and body. Other types of CP include ataxic cerebral Palsy (which has a shaky movement) or paraplegic CP, where the legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

While the symptoms of cerebral palsy differ, most people suffering from the condition experience stiffness and a loss in muscle control. They might also have problems with balance and coordination. The kind of problems they experience will depend on the part of the brain that was injured and the degree of the injury.

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

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

Speech and therapy for language can be used to aid children who are unable to communicate effectively. This may help them learn new ways of communicating and may involve sign language, communication boards or voice synthesizers.

The use of medications can relax muscles that are stiff or overactive to reduce abnormal movement, relieve pain, and control seizures. These medications are taken by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.

Compensation

If your case of cerebral palsy is successful, you will be awarded compensation to cover the cost of specialist care, equipment, and treatment. The compensation will be based on the mental and physical consequences of your child's condition as well as any losses or expenses that you might have incurred. This could include loss of earnings due to you having to take a break from work to care for your children, home modifications and transportation costs.

Depending on the extent of your child's injury, your lawyer may hire an expert in disability care to write a "life care plan' that clearly outlines all their needs from the date of their diagnosis until they reach adulthood. This will help you calculate the most accurate compensation amount. It typically is a lump sum and regular annual payments that can be indexed to keep up with the rate of inflation.

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