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How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis has a profound impact on the child's life as well as the lives of their family. Compensation can help them live a fuller life, with access to equipment, treatment and assistance.

Many cases of cerebral palsy are the result of medical negligence. It could be due to the lack of care during pregnancy, problems during birth or other events.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however early diagnosis and treatment can help improve the child's capabilities. Doctors diagnose CP through a child's movement, muscle coordination and tone. They might refer the child to specialists, such as pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists, and physiatrists. These specialists can assist in managing symptoms and improve quality of life.

Everyone is affected by cerebral palsy in a unique way. It can be mild and have a minimal impact on the child's capabilities, or it can be severe and cause impairments to all body areas. The symptoms can include a Floppy head (floppy neck) and a muscles that are stiff and uncontrolled as well as difficulty walking or having issues with speech or other functions. If a child only has cerebral palsy on one side of the body, this is known as hemiplegia. On both sides, it's known as diplegia. The severity of CP can cause a locked in (spastic) condition that is characterized by muscle spasticity. This can restrict the movement of a person and make it difficult to speak and eating.

The occurrence of medical errors during childbirth is one of the main causes of CP. Nurses, midwives, and doctors should be cautious when delivering babies as damage to the brain may cause serious harm. A physician could be held responsible for malpractice if a medical error results in cerebral palsy or brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. This is the case when scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or not being able to monitor and escalate an intense labor.

Signs and symptoms

If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, they will likely exhibit a range of physical symptoms. These may include stiff or tight joints, a limp, uncontrolled movements, and issues with balance and posture. Other issues can include speech delays, intellectual disability and hearing and vision issues.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy result from damage to the brain's immature state. This occurs most often in the infant or early years of childhood. A delay in achieving milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking is a common symptom of CP. Children suffering from CP might also have trouble swallowing and may require a feeding device.

Several factors can contribute to the development of a brain injury that triggers CP, including infections like rubella, cytomegalovirus, or toxoplasmosis in the womb, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and genetic predisposition. A severe lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during labor or delivery is a major reason for CP as is the occurrence of bleeding in the brain caused by damaged or blocked blood vessels.

Based on the type of cerebral palsy, symptoms can range from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy law firm palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most prevalent form. Dyskinetic cerebral Palsy Attorneys palsy (also called athetoid or choreoathetoid) involves slow and uncontrolled writhing movements of the legs, arms and body. Other types of CP can include ataxic palsy, which is characterized by shakey movements or paraplegic cerebral palsy in which legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

Though the symptoms of cerebral palsy can differ, most people who suffer from the condition experience stiffness, as well as a decrease in muscle control. They may also be struggling with coordination and balance. The type of movement problems they have depend on the region of the brain that was injured and the severity.

Many people suffering from CP require special physical therapy which helps them improve their mobility and muscle tone and stretch and strengthen their muscles and joints. It can also relieve the discomfort and prevent contracture. Exercises, braces or other treatments may be incorporated.

CP is defined by musculoskeletal problems like hip dysplasia and patella alta. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis can also be seen. These can cause major problems in mobility, which can reduce the lifespan of a patient.

Speech and therapy for language are a way to assist children who are unable to communicate effectively. This can help them discover new ways to communicate and could include sign language, communication boards or voice synthesizers.

These medications can be used to decrease abnormal movements, decrease pain, and prevent seizures. The medications are administered by mouth or injected into affected muscles or into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.

Compensation

If your case of cerebral palsy is successful, you will receive compensation to help cover the cost of medical attention, equipment and treatment. The compensation will be based upon the physical and mental consequences of your child's condition, as well as on any expenses or losses you might have incurred. This could include losing earnings because you have had stop work to care for your child, house modifications and transport costs to get your child to and from appointments.

Depending on the extent of your child's injury the lawyer might recommend hiring a specialist in disability care to develop a "lifecare plan' that carefully defines their needs from the time of their diagnosis until adulthood. This will allow you to calculate a more accurate amount of compensation. This is usually in the form of a lump-sum and regular annual payments, which can be index to keep pace with inflation.

You should know that the amount of compensation you receive for a successful legal claim is not a cash-flow opportunity. It's an acknowledgement that injustice has occurred, all because a medical professional failed in their duty of care during pregnancy, labour and delivery.