How to File a Cerebral Palsy Case

Cerebral Palsy is a permanent condition that requires medical attention. Children suffering from CP are typically seen by a pediatrician, also a physical therapy specialist. Their doctors will collect an examination of their medical history, perform an extensive physical examination and conduct tests like an MRI or CT scan.

A cerebral palsy lawsuit palsy attorney can help families seek an equitable amount of compensation for the lifelong needs of their child. Contact us today to arrange an appointment for a no-cost case review.

Diagnosis

Cerebral paralysis is a permanent condition that affects movement, posture, coordination and balance. It results from damage or abnormalities in parts of the brain that control muscle movement, and it usually occurs before or shortly after birth.

Doctors can diagnose of cerebral palsy by evaluating a child's symptoms such as medical history, physical examination, and observing milestones and growth, and looking over the results of diagnostic tests. They can refer the toddler, infant or child to specialists like an orthopedist for children, neurologists and physiatrists. Skin, urine and blood tests are also possible to order.

Babies born with CP typically have delays in the development milestones, and have stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes that are not present in normal infants. Low Apgar scores could also indicate oxygen deprivation. It can be difficult to diagnose in infants who are still developing, and a final diagnosis is generally made by 2 years of age. The earlier a child's condition is recognized, the better treatment will be. Many families find it beneficial to seek out support groups, associations and counseling services for their children.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of cerebral palsy usually appear in early childhood, and are caused by damage done to the part of brain that controls the movement and posture. This damage cannot be reversed, and it affects muscles and body movements.

Children suffering from dyskinetic cerebral paralysis have chaotic, jerky movements with their feet, hands, and arms. They may also have trouble reaching for objects, picking them up and coloring with crayons. They might snore or have difficulty keeping their balance.

Ataxic CP is the least common kind, resulting in unorganized and clumsy movements. The people with hypotonic CP have a lower muscle tone, and their arms and legs move effortlessly and look like those of a Rag doll.

Doctors usually diagnose a child with CP in the first two years of their lives, unless it is not severe or in which case they could make a diagnosis when the child is four or five years old. To reduce the risk of developing CP, women should get vaccinations prior to conception against illnesses that can cause brain damage in a fetus, like rubella and German measles. It is also crucial that mothers receive regular prenatal check-ups during the pregnancy to aid in preventing complications such as premature birth and low birth weight.

Treatment

Cerebral palsy is caused by anything that affects brain development, ranging from maternal infections in pregnancy to complications during labor and birth to head injuries. Cerebral palsy occurs more frequently in babies born prior to 32 weeks of age, or with an infant who is overweight at birth. Maternal febrile illness during pregnancy rubella (German measles) as well as cytomegalovirus and herpes infections may trigger inflammation that harms the developing nervous system.

The treatment plan for each person suffering from CP is different for each patient. A pediatric specialist, physical and rehabilitation doctor or neurologist should supervise medical care and develop treatment plans that focus on specific symptoms and needs.

Medicines to reduce muscle tightness (such as onabotulinumtoxinA or Botox) can be used to improve functionality and reduce discomfort or other symptoms. In extreme cases of CP surgery, it can lengthen stiff, tightly contracted muscles or correct a problem like an unnaturally curving spine.

Speech therapists aid children in learning to communicate or speak, and they can teach parents how to enhance their child's communication. The therapeutic approach to recreation involves children participating in fun activities that promote social interaction, self-esteem and motor skills development.

Support

Getting the right support can make all the difference. Families with cerebral palsy and their children can find an entire group of people with similar experiences at a local meeting or via the internet. Many groups hold fundraisers to raise funds and envtox.snu.ac.kr raise awareness about the condition.

Teachers can help children with cerebral palsy during school. They can plan ahead for when students will miss class because of doctor visits or to take medication. They can also make arrangements in the classroom, for example, allowing students to travel between classes and take exams or attend doctor visits.

Adults with CP can seek out advice from an occupational therapist on their independence, including housing, getting a job and benefits. They can also speak to their doctor to determine whether their medications are effective, and if anything could be causing their symptoms to get worse.

The Cerebral Palsy Research and Clinical Center of Michigan maintains a database of specialists in the local area with this condition. The database is available to those living in Michigan and allows them to search for doctors by insurance provider.

Legal Issues

Your cerebral palsy lawyer will help you obtain a fair settlement with the medical professionals who are accountable for your child's injuries. The legal procedure is about gathering more evidence to show that the medical professionals and facilities involved in your child's birth injury committed negligence that caused brain injuries and which led to cerebral palsy.

Legal claims seek monetary compensation for the damages your family has suffered and anticipated future expenses. It's also about making changes and further procedures to stop such injuries from occurring to other children in the future.

Some parents are concerned that filing a medical malpractice lawsuit can make them appear greedy or as if they don't like their child for who they are. However, the truth is that the cost of caring for a person who suffers from CP could be in the thousands.

It is crucial to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer whenever you can. The sooner you file your case the better. Every state has its own statute of limitations. A lawyer can provide you with the laws in your region, and also what you should do following.