How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy will have profound consequences for the child and their family. Compensation can help them live an active and healthy life by providing access to treatment and equipment, as well as assistance.

Medical negligence is usually the reason for cerebral palsy. This could be caused by the lack of medical attention during pregnancy, issues during birth, or other occurrences.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment may improve the abilities of a child. Doctors can diagnose CP by looking at the muscle tone of a child and coordination. They may refer the child to specialists, like pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists or physiatrists. These specialists can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life.

cerebral palsy attorneys Palsy affects each person differently. It can be relatively mild and have no impact on the child's capabilities, or it can be severe and cause impairments across all areas of the body. Some of the symptoms include a floppy (floppy neck) head and muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled as well as difficulty walking or having trouble with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy only affects one side of a child's body, then it is referred to as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides of the body, it is referred to as diplegia. In severe cases, CP can lead to a locked-in (spastic) condition that is characterized by muscle spasticity that limits the person's movement and can lead to difficulties with speech and eating.

The occurrence of medical errors during childbirth is a common reason for CP. Nurses, midwives, cerebral Palsy Attorneys and doctors should be cautious when delivering babies because damage to the brain could cause serious harm. If a medical error results in oxygen deprivation, or other brain injuries that cause cerebral palsy, the doctor could be held accountable for malpractice. This includes a lack of planning or performing an urgent C-section or failing to monitor and escalate a complicated labor.

Symptoms

If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, they will likely exhibit a range of physical signs. These could include tight or stiff joints, a limp, uncontrolled movement and issues with balance and posture. Other problems include speech delays, intellectual disabilities as well as hearing and vision issues.

Cerebral palsy symptoms are caused by damage to the developing brain, usually during infancy or early childhood. A slowing down in reaching milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking is a common symptom of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to have difficulty swallowing and may require a feeding tube.

Many factors can contribute to the brain injury that causes CP. This includes infections like toxoplasmosis or rubella in the womb; high blood pressure during pregnancy; and genetic predisposition. A significant lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during birth or labor is the main cause of CP as is bleeding in the brain from blood vessels that are blocked or damaged.

Depending on the form 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 choreoathetoid, or athetoid) is characterized by slow and uncontrolled movement of the arms, Cerebral Palsy attorneys legs and body. Other forms of CP might include ataxic palsy, characterized by a shaky motion or paraplegic cerebral palsy in which the legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

Although the symptoms of cerebral palsy may differ, most people who suffer from the condition experience stiffness and a loss in muscle control. They may also have issues with coordination and balance. The type of movement problems they experience will depend on the region of the brain which was injured and the degree of the injury.

Many people suffering from CP require special physical therapy that can increase their mobility, flexibility, and muscle tone and stretch their joints and muscles. It also helps relieve pain and prevent contracture. It may include exercises, braces with special features, or other treatments.

CP is characterized by musculoskeletal disorders like hip dysplasia and patella alta. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis also occur. These conditions can cause major mobility problems which can reduce the life expectancy of patients.

Other treatments may include speech and language therapies for children who cannot communicate effectively. It can help children develop new ways of communicating. These could include sign language, a communication board or voice synthesizers.

These medicines can be used to stop abnormal movements, decrease pain, and prevent seizures. These medicines can be taken orally or injected directly into the muscles affected, or into the surrounding fluid of your spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful cerebral palsy claim could result in compensation for your child to pay for specialized care, equipment and treatment. The amount will be determined on the physical and mental effects of your child's condition, as well as on any losses or expenses you might have incurred. This could include the loss of income due to having to work less to care for your children, house modifications and transportation costs.

Based on the severity of your child's injury Your lawyer could hire an expert in disability issues to develop a "lifecare plan' that outlines all their needs from the date of their diagnosis until they reach adulthood. This can help you calculate the most accurate amount of compensation. It usually takes the form of a lump sum as well as regular annual payments which could be indexed to keep up with inflation.

You must be aware that the amount of compensation you receive from a legal claim isn't a windfall. It is a recognition of the injustice that occurred due to the fact that a medical professional did not meet their duty of care during labour, pregnancy, and delivery.