How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy has profound consequences for the child and their family. Compensation can allow them to live a fuller life, with access to medical equipment, care and assistance.

Medical negligence is often the reason for cerebral palsy. This could be due to an absence of medical attention prior to pregnancy, problems during labor and delivery or other incidents.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment can enhance the child's capabilities. Doctors diagnose CP by observing a child's muscle tone, movement and coordination. They can refer the child to specialists like neurologists, pediatric orthopedists and physiatrists who will assist in managing symptoms and increase quality of life.

Cerebral palsy affects everyone differently. It can be moderate and have only a slight impact on a child's abilities but it can also be severe and cause impairments in all areas of the body. The signs include floppy head (floppy neck) and a muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled that is difficult to walk or has problems with speech and other functions. If a child has cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's known as hemiplegia; on both sides, it's called diplegia. A severe CP could result in a locked in (spastic), condition with muscle spasticity. This could limit the ability of a person to move and can create difficulties with speech and eating.

Childbirth-related mistakes made by doctors are the leading cause of CP. Nurses, doctors, and midwives must be careful when delivering the baby as damage to the brain can have serious consequences. A doctor could be held responsible for malpractice if a medical mistake results in cerebral palsy or brain damage caused by oxygen deficiency. This is the case when scheduling or performing a C-section urgently or not being able to monitor and escalate the intensity of the labor.

Signs and symptoms

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, they will most likely exhibit a variety of physical symptoms. These symptoms could include stiff or tight muscles, a limp, Cerebral Palsy Attorney uncontrolled movements, and problems with balance and posture. Other problems include speech delays, intellectual disabilities and hearing and vision problems.

cerebral palsy Attorney Palsy symptoms are caused by a degeneration of the brain, usually in early childhood or infants. A slowing down in reaching milestones such as rolling over, standing up, crawling or walking is a common sign of CP. Children suffering from CP may also have difficulties swallowing and may require a feeding device.

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

Based on the type of cerebral palsy, the symptoms may range from mild to severe. The most common form of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral psoriasis, which is characterised by stiff muscles. Dyskinetic cerebral Palsy (also known as athetoid, choreoathetoid and choreoathetoid), is characterised by a slow and uncontrolled writhing of the legs, arms, and body. Other types of CP include ataxic cerebral palsy lawsuit palsy (which has a shaky, jerky movement) or paraplegic CP in which the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

Although the symptoms of cerebral palsy may differ, the majority of people suffering from the condition experience stiffness, as well as a decrease in muscle control. They may also have problems with coordination and balance. The type of problems they have depend on the region of the brain that was injured and the degree of the injury.

Many people suffering from CP require specific physical therapy that assists them improve their muscle tone and mobility and stretch and work their muscles and joints. It can also relieve the discomfort and prevent contractures. Braces, exercises, or other treatments could be included.

Musculoskeletal issues like patella alta, hip dysplasia, cervical stenosis and scoliosis are prevalent in CP. These can cause major issues in mobility, which decreases life expectancy.

Other treatments include speech and language therapies for children who cannot communicate effectively. This can help them discover new ways to communicate and may involve sign language, communication boards or voice synthesizers.

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

Compensation

If your case of cerebral palsy is successful, you will receive compensation to cover the cost of specialist care, equipment, and treatment. The amount of compensation will depend on the physical and mental effects of your child's condition as well as any expenses or losses you may have incurred. This could be a loss of earnings due to you having to stop working to take care of your children, house modifications and transport costs.

Depending on the severity of your child's injuries, your lawyer may hire an expert in disability issues to write a "life care plan' that clearly defines their needs starting from the date of their diagnosis until they reach adulthood. This will help you calculate an exact compensation amount. This usually is lump sums as well as regular annual payments which can be adjusted to keep up with inflation.

It is important to understand that compensation for a successful legal matter is not a windfall. It's an acknowledgement that injustice has occurred, and all due to a medical professional failed in their obligation to providing care during labor, pregnancy and the birth.