How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis can have an enormous impact on the life of the child and that of their family. Compensation can help them lead a full and active life by providing access to care and equipment, as well as assistance.

Many cases of cerebral palsy arise from medical negligence. This could be caused by the lack of care during pregnancy, problems during delivery or other incidents.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment can improve the abilities of a child. Doctors diagnose CP based on a child's movement, muscle tone and coordination. They can refer children to specialists like pediatric orthopedists, neurologists and physiatrists to assist in managing symptoms and increase quality of life.

Everyone is affected by cerebral palsy 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 to all areas of the body. It can be characterized by an oversized (floppy neck) head and muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled that are difficult to walk, or having trouble with speech and other functions. If a child only has cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's called hemiplegia. If it occurs on both sides, it's known as diplegia. Severe CP may lead to a locked in (spastic) condition that is characterized by muscle spasticity. This could limit the ability of a person to move and cerebral palsy can make it difficult to speak and eating.

Birth complications are an often-repeated cause of CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses must be aware when delivering babies since brain damage can have serious consequences. If a medical mistake causes oxygen deprivation or other brain damage that causes cerebral palsy lawyer palsy, the doctor could be held responsible for malpractice. This includes negligence in scheduling or performing an urgent C-section, or failing to supervise and escalate the complexity of labor.

Symptoms

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, he or will likely suffer from various physical symptoms. This could include tight or stiff joints as well as a limp, uncontrolled movement, and issues with balance and posture. Other issues include speech delays, intellectual disabilities and hearing and vision issues.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy are caused by damage to the brain of an infant. This occurs most often during infancy or Cerebral Palsy the early years of childhood. A delay in milestones such as rolling over, sitting, walking, or crawling can be a sign of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to have difficulties swallowing and may require a feeding tube.

Several factors can contribute to the development of an injury to the brain that causes CP and other conditions, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus or toxoplasmosis in the womb, high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a massive lack of oxygen) during labor or birth is the main cause of CP.

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy attorney palsy, symptoms may vary from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most common form. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also known as athetoid or choreoathetoid) is characterized by slow and uncontrolled movement of the legs, arms and the body. Other types of CP might include ataxic palsy that has an unstable motion, or paraplegic cerebral palsy where legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

Although the specific symptoms of cerebral palsy vary, most people with the condition have to contend with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They may also have issues with coordination and balance. The type of problem that they experience is based on the brain region that was injured and the degree of the injury.

Many people with CP need special physical therapy that can improve their mobility, flexibility, and muscle tone, and stretch their joints and muscles. It can also help relieve discomfort and prevent contractures. Exercises, braces or other treatments might be incorporated.

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

Speech and therapy for language can be used to help children who are unable to communicate effectively. This may help them discover new ways to communicate and may involve sign language, communication boards, or voice synthesizers.

These medications are used to limit abnormal movements, ease pain, and prevent seizures. These medications can be taken orally or directly into the affected muscles or into the fluid around your spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful cerebral palsy claim could result in compensation for your child's for specialist care, equipment and treatment. The amount of compensation will depend on the mental and physical consequences of your child's condition, as well as on any expenses or losses you may have incurred. This could include lost earnings because you had to work less to care for your children, home modifications and transport costs.

Based on the severity of your child's injuries, your lawyer may hire an expert in disability issues to write a "life care plan' that carefully defines their needs from the date of their diagnosis until adulthood. This will allow you to calculate the most accurate compensation amount. This is usually in the form of a lump-sum and recurring annual payments which could be indexed to keep up with inflation.

You should be aware that compensation from a successful legal action isn't a gimmick. It's a recognition of unfairness that was caused by medical professionals did not perform their duty of care in labour, pregnancy and delivery.