How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy will have a profound effect on the child and their family. Compensation can allow them to have a fulfilling life by giving them access to equipment, treatment and support.

Many cases of cerebral palsy arise from medical negligence. This can be due to an absence of medical attention during pregnancy, difficulties during birth or other events.

Causes

There is no cure for CP, but early diagnosis and treatment can improve the abilities of a child. Doctors diagnose CP by observing a child's muscle tone and coordination, as well as movement. They might refer the child to specialists, such as pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists or physiatrists. These specialists can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Cerebral Palsy affects each person differently. It can be mild with no impact on a child's ability to function, or it can be extremely severe and cause physical impairments throughout the body. The signs can include a neck that is floppy (floppy neck), muscles that are stiff or inflexible that is difficult to walk or has issues with speech or other functions. If a child's condition is cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's referred to as hemiplegia. If it occurs on both sides, it's known as diplegia. Severe CP can cause a locked-in (spastic) condition that is characterized by muscle spasticity, which restricts an individual's movements and leads to difficulties with speech and eating.

Birth-related medical errors are the leading cause of CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses must be cautious when giving birth to the baby as damage to the brain may cause serious harm. A doctor could be held responsible for malpractice if a medical mistake causes cerebral palsy or brain damage caused by oxygen deficiency. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or failing to monitor and escalate a complicated labor.

Signs and symptoms

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, he or she will likely have a combination of physical symptoms. This could include stiff or tight joints and limbs, a limp, erratic movement, and issues with balance and posture. Other issues include intellectual disabilities, speech delays as well as hearing and vision issues.

Cerebral palsy symptoms are caused by damage to the immature brain, usually in early childhood or infants. A delay in achieving milestones such as standing up, crawling or walking is a common symptom of CP. Children with CP may also have difficulties swallowing, and may need a feeding device.

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to the brain injury that causes CP. This includes infections like toxoplasmosis and rubella during pregnancy; high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. A severe lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during pregnancy or birth is a major cause for CP and bleeding in the brain caused by blocked or broken blood vessels.

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, the symptoms may vary from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy lawyers (Read the Full Posting) palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most prevalent form. Dyskinetic cerebral Palsy (also known as athetoid, choreoathetoid and choreoathetoid) is defined by slow and uncontrolled writhing of the legs, arms and the body. Other types of CP include ataxic cerebral palsy law firm palsy (which is characterized by a shakey movement) or paraplegic CP in which the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

Although cerebral palsy symptoms vary, the majority of patients with the condition experience stiffness and loss in muscle control. They may also experience issues with coordination and balance. The type of movement issue that they face is determined by which brain area was injured and the extent of the injury.

Many people with CP need special physical therapy that can increase their mobility, flexibility, and muscle tone and stretch their muscles and joints. It can also relieve pain and prevent contracture. Exercises, braces or other treatments may be included.

CP is characterised by musculoskeletal conditions such as hip dysplasia and patella alta. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis may also be present. These disorders can lead to major mobility problems that reduce the lifespan.

Speech and therapy for language may be used to aid children who are unable to communicate effectively. It can help children develop new ways of communicating and may include signing language, a communication board, or voice synthesizers.

These medications are used to limit abnormal movements, ease seizures, and ease pain. These medications can be administered by mouth or directly into the muscles affected, or into the fluid around your spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful claim for cerebral palsy could result in compensation for your child to pay for specialized care, equipment and treatment. The compensation will be based on the physical and mental effects of your child's condition and any expenses or losses you may have incurred. This could include the loss of earnings as you had to stop work to care for cerebral palsy lawyers your child, house modifications and transport costs to get your child to and from appointments.

Based on the severity of your child's injuries, your lawyer may hire an expert in disability issues to create a "life care plan' that clearly details their needs beginning with the date of their diagnosis until adulthood. This can help calculate an accurate amount of compensation. This usually takes the form of a lump sum and regular annual payments, which can be adjusted to keep pace with inflation.

It is important to understand that the compensation for a successful legal claim is not a windfall. It is a recognition of unfairness that was caused by medical professionals failed to meet their duty of care in labour, pregnancy and the delivery.