The Next Big Thing In Cerebral Palsy Attorneys
How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim
A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis has profound consequences for the child and their family. Compensation can help them live a full life with access to the equipment, care and assistance.
Many cases of cerebral palsy arise from medical negligence. It could be due to inadequate medical attention during pregnancy, issues during the birth process or other incidents.
Causes
There is no cure for CP however early diagnosis and treatment can improve a child's abilities. Doctors diagnose CP through the child's movements, muscle tone and coordination. They can refer children to specialists such as pediatric orthopedists, neurologists and physiatrists, who can assist in managing symptoms and increase the quality of life for children.
Everyone suffers from cerebral palsy in different ways. It can be mild and have little impact on a child's abilities however, it can also be severe and cause impairments across all body areas. The signs include Floppy head (floppy neck), stiff or uncontrolled muscle that is difficult to walk or has issues with speech or other functions. If a child only has cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's called hemiplegia; on both sides, it's called diplegia. In severe cases, CP can cause a locked-in (spastic) condition with muscle spasticity that restricts an individual's movements and leads to difficulties in speaking and eating.
Medical mistakes in childbirth are a frequent reason for CP. Midwives, doctors, and nurses should be aware when delivering babies as brain damage could have serious consequences. If a medical error causes oxygen deprivation or other brain damage that causes cerebral palsy, the doctor may be held liable for negligence. This could include negligence in scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or failing to monitor and escalate a complicated labor.
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If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, they will likely exhibit a range of physical symptoms. These symptoms may include tight or stiff muscles and a limp, involuntary movements, and problems with balance and posture. Other issues can include speech delays, intellectual disability and hearing and vision issues.
The symptoms of cerebral palsy are caused by damage to the brain's maturation. This is usually the case in the early years of childhood. A slowing down in reaching milestones such as standing up, crawling or walking is a common symptom of CP. Children with CP may also have difficulty swallowing, and may need a feeding device.
Numerous factors can contribute to the development of a brain injury that causes CP or CP-related conditions, including infections such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, or toxoplasmosis in the womb as well as high blood pressure during pregnancy, and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a massive lack of oxygen) during labor or delivery is a leading cause of CP.
Depending on the form of cerebral palsy, symptoms can vary from mild to severe. The most commonly encountered type of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral paralysis, which is characterised by muscles that are stiff. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called choreoathetoid, or athetoid) involves uncontrolled and slow movement of the arms, legs and body. Other forms of CP might include ataxic palsy, which has shakey movements or paraplegic cerebral palsy where the legs and arms are affected.
Treatment
While the symptoms specific to cerebral palsy are different, the majority of sufferers have to contend with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They may also have issues with balance and coordination. The type of issues they experience is dependent on the part of the brain that was injured and the extent of the injury.
Many people suffering from CP require special physical therapy that can improve their muscle tone, mobility and stretch their muscles and joints. It can also help relieve tension and prevent contractures. It may include exercises, special braces, or other treatments.
CP is defined by musculoskeletal problems like patella alta and hip dysplasia. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis may also be present. These conditions can cause major issues in mobility, which decreases the life expectancy of patients.
Speech and language therapy can be used to aid children who are not able to communicate effectively. This can assist them to learn new ways of communicating and may include sign language, communication boards or voice synthesizers.
These medicines can be used to stop the abnormal movement, reduce seizures, and ease pain. These medications can be administered by mouth or directly into the affected muscles or into the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord.
Compensation
If your cerebral palsy case is successful, you could be compensated to you pay for medical attention, equipment and treatment. This will be based on the psychological and physical impacts that your child's condition has had on them, in addition to any costs or losses that you've incurred. This could include loss of earnings because you had to stop working to take care of your children, house modifications and transportation expenses.
Your lawyer could hire an expert in disability according to the extent of the injury to your child. The expert will develop an "life care plan" which outlines the needs of your child from the time of diagnosis until they turn adults. This will allow you to calculate an accurate amount of compensation. It usually takes the form of a lump-sum and recurring annual payments which can be index to keep up with the rate of inflation.
You should know that the compensation for a legal case that is successful is not a windfall. It's a recognition that injustice was committed, all because medical professionals failed to fulfill their duty of medical care during pregnancy, labour and the birth.