How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy can have profound effects on the child and their family. Compensation can help them lead an active and full life by providing access to care and equipment, as well as assistance.

Medical negligence is usually the cause of cerebral palsy. This could be due to inadequate prenatal care, complications during labor and delivery or other occurrences.

Causes

Early diagnosis and treatment of CP can improve a child’s capabilities. Doctors determine CP based on the child's movements, muscle coordination and tone. They may refer the child to specialists such as pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists, and physiatrists. These specialists can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Cerebral Palsy affects each person differently. It can be moderate and have only a slight impact on a child's ability or severe and cause impairments in all body areas. Some of the symptoms include a floppy (floppy neck) head and muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled and walking difficulties, or having difficulty speaking and other functions. If cerebral palsy affects only the child's body, it is called hemiplegia. If it affects both sides, then it's called diplegia. The severity of CP could result in a locked-in (spastic) condition, which is characterized by muscle spasticity. This could limit the ability of a person to move and can cause difficulty with speech and eating.

Birth complications are a frequent reason for CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses must be careful when delivering babies as brain damage could result in serious consequences. A physician may be held liable for negligence if a medical error results in cerebral palsy, or brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation. This includes negligence in scheduling or performing an urgent C-section or the failure to monitor and escalate a complex labor.

Signs and symptoms

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, they will most likely exhibit a variety of physical symptoms. This could include tight or stiff joints or muscles, a limp, involuntary movement and issues with balance and posture. Other issues could include intellectual disability, speech delays and vision and hearing issues.

Cerebral palsy symptoms are caused by a degeneration of the brain, which is usually seen in the early years of childhood or in infants. A delay in milestones, such as sitting, rolling over, walking, or crawling can be an indication of CP. Children with CP may also have difficulty swallowing and may require a feeding device.

Many 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 delivery or labor is a leading cause of CP.

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most common form. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called choreoathetoid, vimeo or athetoid) involves uncontrolled and slow movement of the arms, legs and the body. Other types of CP may include ataxic cerebral palsy that has an unstable motion or paraplegic shreveport cerebral palsy lawyer aphasia, in which the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

Although the symptoms of cerebral palsy may vary, the majority of people suffering from the condition experience stiffness, as well as a decrease in muscle control. They may also have problems with balance and coordination. The type of problem that they have depends on which brain area was injured and the extent of the injury.

Many people suffering from CP require special physical therapy to increase their muscle tone, mobility and stretch their joints and muscles. It can also help relieve discomfort and prevent contractures. Braces, exercises or other treatments might be considered.

CP is defined by musculoskeletal problems like patella alta and hip dysplasia. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis may also be present. These disorders can lead to significant mobility issues, which reduces life expectancy.

Speech and therapy for language are a way to aid children who are unable to communicate effectively. This may help children learn new ways to communicate. This could include signing language, a communication board or voice synthesizers.

These medicines are used to limit abnormal movements, decrease pain, and control seizures. The medication is taken by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful cerebral palsy claim could result in compensation for your child to pay for special care, equipment and treatment. This will be determined by the psychological and physical impact that your child's condition has caused on them, in addition to the costs and losses you've incurred. This could include losing income due to having to stop work to take care of your child, home adaptions and Vimeo transportation costs to transport your child to and from appointments.

Your lawyer might hire an expert in disability, depending on the extent of the injury to your child. The specialist will write a "life care plan" which outlines the needs of your child starting at the time of diagnosis until they turn adults. This will allow you to calculate the most accurate compensation amount. It usually takes the form of a lump sum and recurring annual payments which can be index to keep pace with inflation.

It is important to know that compensation for a legal case that is successful is not a quick cash payout. It's an acknowledgement that injustice was committed, all because medical professionals did not fulfill their duty of care during pregnancy, labour and delivery.