How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis has profound effects on the child and their family. Compensation can help them live a fuller life, with access to medical equipment, care and support.

Many cases of cerebral palsy result from medical negligence. It can be caused by a lack of prenatal care, issues during labor and delivery, or other occurrences.

Causes

Early diagnosis and treatment of CP can improve a child’s abilities. Doctors diagnose CP by observing the child's muscle tone and coordination. They might refer a child to specialists such as pediatric orthopedists, neurologists and physiatrists, who can aid in managing symptoms and improve the quality of life for children.

terrell cerebral palsy law firm Palsy affects each person differently. It can be mild, with minimal impact on a child's perform, or it can be severe and result in impairments throughout the body. The signs include a floppy (floppy neck) head and muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled that are difficult to walk, or having difficulty with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy only affects one side of the child's body, then it is referred to as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides, then it's called diplegia. A severe CP can result in a locked-in (spastic) condition that causes muscle spasticity that restricts the movement of a person and can lead to difficulties with speech and eating.

Birth-related medical errors are a leading cause of CP. Doctors, midwives and nurses must be careful when delivering a baby because damage to the brain can cause serious harm. If a medical mistake results in oxygen deprivation or other brain injury that causes cerebral palsy, the physician could be held accountable for negligence. This could include negligence in scheduling or performing an urgent C-section, or failing to monitor and escalate a complex labor.

Signs and symptoms

If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, they'll most likely display a variety of physical symptoms. These symptoms may include stiff or tight muscles, a limp, uncontrolled movements, and problems with posture and balance. Other issues could include speech delays, intellectual disabilities and hearing and vision problems.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy are caused by damage to an immature brain. This is usually the case during infancy or the early years of childhood. A delay in milestones like sitting, rolling over, walking, or crawling could be an indication of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to experience difficulties swallowing and may require a feeding tube.

A variety of factors can cause a brain injury causing CP. This includes infections like toxoplasmosis and rubella during pregnancy; high blood pressure during pregnancy; and genetic predisposition. A significant lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during labor or delivery is a major cause for CP as is the occurrence of bleeding in the brain from blood vessels that are blocked or damaged.

The symptoms may range from mild to severe depending on the type. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most common type. Dyskinetic sweetwater cerebral palsy lawsuit palsy (also known as athetoid or choreoathetoid) is characterized by slow, uncontrolled flailing movements of the arms, legs and the body. Other types of CP include ataxic cerebral Palsy (which is characterized by a shaky motion) or paraplegic CP that affects the legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

While the symptoms specific to fulton cerebral palsy law firm palsy vary, most people suffering from the condition are required to manage stiffness and loss of muscle control. They may also be struggling with coordination and balance. The type of issues they suffer from depend on the part of the brain which was injured and the extent of the injury.

Many people with CP require specialized physical therapy to increase their mobility, tone of muscles, and stretch their joints and muscles. It also helps relieve tension and prevent contracture. It could include exercises, special braces or other treatments.

CP is caused by musculoskeletal issues that include hip dysplasia and patella alta. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis also occur. These disorders can lead to major mobility problems and reduce life expectancy.

Speech and therapy for language may be used to help children who are not able to communicate effectively. It can help children develop new ways to communicate and may include communication board, or voice synthesizers.

The use of medications can relax stiff or overactive muscles, reduce abnormal movement, reduce pain, and manage seizures. The medication is taken by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the fluid around the spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful cerebral palsy claim could result in compensation for your child's for special care, equipment and treatment. The compensation will be based upon the physical and mental effects of your child's condition and any losses or expenses you might have incurred. This could be a loss of earnings due to having to take a break from work to take care of your children, house modifications and transportation costs.

Based on the degree of the injury to your child, your lawyer may hire an expert in disability services to create a "life care plan' that clearly lists all the needs of your child starting from the date of their diagnosis until adulthood. This can help you calculate the most accurate amount of compensation. It is typically in the form of a lump-sum as well as regular annual payments that can be adjusted to keep up with the rate of inflation.

You should be aware that a payout from a legal action isn't a gimmick. It's an acknowledgement that injustice was committed, all because medical professionals failed to fulfill their duty of medical care during pregnancy, labour and the birth.