How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis can have a profound impact on the child's life as well as that of their family. Compensation can allow them to live a full life with access to equipment, care and assistance.

Medical negligence is often the cause of cerebral palsy. This can be caused by inadequate prenatal care, problems during labor and delivery or other occurrences.

Causes

There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment can improve the capabilities of a child. Doctors diagnose CP by observing the muscle tone of a child, movement and coordination. They may refer the child to specialists, such as pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists or physiatrists. These specialists can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Every person is affected by cerebral palsy in a unique way. It can be moderate and have only a slight impact on a child's ability or severe and cause impairments to all body parts. The symptoms could include a head that is floppy (floppy neck) muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled as well as difficulty walking or having difficulties with speech and other functions. If a child only has cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's referred to as hemiplegia; on both sides, it's known as diplegia. A severe CP can cause a locked in (spastic) condition, which is characterized by muscle spasticity. This could limit the person's mobility and cause difficulty with speech and eating.

Medical mistakes in childbirth are a frequent cause of CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses must be cautious when delivering babies because brain damage can have serious consequences. A physician could be held accountable for mistakes made in the medical field if an error results in cerebral palsy, or brain damage caused by oxygen deficiency. This is the case when scheduling or performing a C-section urgently or not being able to monitor and escalate an intense labor.

Symptoms

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, he / is likely to have a combination of physical symptoms. They could be characterized by stiff or tight joints or muscles, a limp, involuntary movement and issues with balance and posture. Other issues include speech delays, intellectual disabilities and hearing and vision problems.

jersey city cerebral palsy attorney palsy symptoms are triggered by damage to the developing brain, typically in early childhood or infants. A delay in reaching milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling or walking is a typical sign of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to experience difficulty swallowing and may require feeding tubes.

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a brain injury that leads to CP. This includes infections like toxoplasmosis and rubella in the womb high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. A serious lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during the birth or during labor is the main cause of CP, as is bleeding in the brain that results from blood vessels that are blocked or damaged.

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, symptoms may vary from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most commonly encountered form. Dyskinetic Richmond Cerebral Palsy Attorney (Vimeo.Com) palsy (also known as athetoid, choreoathetoid and choreoathetoid) is known as a uncontrolled and slow writhing of the arms, Sedalia Cerebral Palsy Lawyer legs and body. Other forms of CP can include ataxic palsy, characterized by shakey movements or paraplegic cerebral palsy where the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

While the symptoms specific to cerebral palsy vary, most people suffering from the condition are required to contend with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They may also be struggling with coordination and balance. The kind of problems they suffer from depend on the region of the brain which was injured and the extent of the injury.

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

Musculoskeletal disorders like patella alta, hip dysplasia, cervical stenosis, scoliosis are common in CP. These can cause major problems in mobility, which decreases the lifespan of a patient.

Other treatments may include speech and language therapies for children who are unable to communicate effectively. This can assist them to learn new ways of communicating and may include sign language, communication boards or voice synthesizers.

Medications can be used to relax stiff or overactive muscles or muscles, limit abnormal movement, reduce pain, and manage seizures. The medication is taken by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful cerebral palsy claim could result in compensation for your child to pay for specialist care, equipment and treatment. The compensation will be based on the physical and mental effects of your child's illness and any expenses or losses you may have suffered. This could include the loss of earnings as you had to stop work to take care of your child, home adaptations and transportation costs to transport your child to and from appointments.

Your lawyer may hire an expert in disability care dependent on the severity of the injuries to your child. The specialist will write a "life care plan" that details their needs from the moment they are diagnosed until they turn adults. This can help determine the most accurate compensation amount. It usually takes the form of a lump-sum and annual installments, which could be indexed to keep up with the rate of inflation.

You should be aware that a payout from a legal case isn't a quick buck. It's a recognition of unfairness that was caused by a medical professional did not perform their duty of care in labour, pregnancy and the delivery.