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 have a fulfilling life by giving them access to equipment, treatment and assistance.

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

Causes

Early diagnosis and treatment of CP can enhance a child's capabilities. Doctors determine CP in relation to a child's movement, muscle coordination and tone. They might refer the child to specialists, like pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists or physiatrists. These specialists can assist in managing symptoms and improve quality of life.

Everyone suffers from cerebral palsy in a different way. It can be moderate and have only a slight impact on the child's capabilities or severe and cause impairments to all areas of the body. The signs can include a neck that is floppy (floppy neck), muscles that are stiff and uncontrolled that is difficult to walk or has problems with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy affects only one side of a child's body, then it is known as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides, it is known as diplegia. Severe CP can cause a locked-in (spastic) condition that is characterized by muscle spasticity that limits an individual's movements and leads to issues with speech and eating.

Birth complications are a common reason for CP. Nurses, doctors, and midwives must be cautious when giving birth to a baby because damage to the brain may cause serious problems. A physician could be held responsible for mistakes made in the medical field if an error results in cerebral palsy, or brain damage caused by oxygen deficiency. This includes negligence in scheduling or performing a C-section urgently or failure to supervise and escalate the complexity of labor.

Symptoms

If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, he / will likely suffer from various physical symptoms. The symptoms can include stiff or tight muscles or joints, a limp, uncontrolled movements, and problems with balance and posture. Other issues include intellectual disabilities, speech delays and vision and hearing problems.

Cerebral palsy symptoms are caused due to damage to the young brain, which is usually seen in the early years of childhood or in infants. 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.

Many factors can contribute to the development of a brain injury that leads to CP and other conditions, such as 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 pregnancy or birth is a major cause for CP as is bleeding in the brain from damaged or blocked blood vessels.

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, symptoms can range from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most frequent type. Dyskinetic cerebral Palsy (also known as athetoid, choreoathetoid and choreoathetoid) is known as a slow and uncontrolled writhing movements of the arms, legs and body. Other forms of CP include ataxic cerebral palsy lawyer palsy (which has a shaky, jerky movement) or paraplegic CP in which the legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

Although cerebral Palsy attorney palsy symptoms differ, most people who suffer from the condition experience stiffness and loss in muscle control. They may also experience issues with balance and coordination. The type of problem that they face is determined by which brain area was injured and the degree of the injury.

Many people with CP require specific physical therapy that assists them to improve their mobility and muscle tone and stretch and exercise their muscles and joints. It can also ease discomfort and prevent contracture. Braces, exercises, or other treatments can be incorporated.

Musculoskeletal conditions like hip dysplasia, patella alta, cervical stenosis and scoliosis are common in CP. These disorders can lead to major mobility problems that reduce the lifespan.

Other treatments may include speech and language therapies for children who cannot communicate effectively. It can help children develop new ways to communicate and may include sign language, a communication board, or voice synthesizers.

These medications are used to limit abnormal movements, ease seizures, and ease pain. These medications are taken by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.

Compensation

If your cerebral palsy case is successful, you can receive compensation to help you pay for medical equipment, specialist care and treatment. This will be based on the psychological and cerebral palsy attorney physical effects that your child's condition has had on them, as well as any expenses and losses you've had to pay. This could include lost earnings due to you having to work less to care for your children, house modifications and transport costs.

The lawyer you hire may employ an expert in disability care dependent on the extent of the injury to your child. The expert will develop an "life care plan" that will outline their needs from the moment they are diagnosed until they are adults. This can help you determine the most accurate amount of compensation. It usually takes the form of a lump sum and regular annual payments which can be adjusted to keep pace with the rate of inflation.

You must be aware that the amount of compensation you receive from a legal action isn't a huge sum. It's a way of acknowledging an unfairness that was caused by medical professionals did not meet their duty of care in labour, pregnancy and birth.