How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of pontiac cerebral palsy lawyer palsy has profound effects on the child and their family. Compensation can allow them to live a full life with access to medical equipment, care and assistance.

Medical negligence is often the cause of cerebral palsy. This can be due to the lack of medical attention during pregnancy, difficulties during birth or other events.

Causes

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

Cerebral palsy affects everyone differently. It can be relatively mild and have no impact on a child's abilities however, it can also be severe and cerebral cause impairments in all body areas. Symptoms can include an oversized (floppy neck) head and stiff or uncontrolled muscles and walking difficulties, or having trouble with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy is only affecting one side of a child's body, then it is called hemiplegia. If it affects both sides, then it is called diplegia. A severe CP can lead to a locked-in (spastic) condition characterized by spasticity in muscles that restricts an individual's movements and leads to difficulties in speaking and eating.

The occurrence of medical errors during childbirth is one of the main causes of CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses must be extra cautious when giving birth to babies because brain damage can result in serious consequences. If a medical mistake causes oxygen deprivation or other brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy, the doctor may be held liable for malpractice. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or failing to supervise and escalate the intensity of the labor.

Symptoms

If your child has cerebral palsy, he / she will likely have several physical symptoms. They could be characterized by tight joints or stiff joints or muscles, a limp, involuntary movement and issues with balance and posture. Other issues include speech delays, intellectual disabilities as well as hearing and vision problems.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy are caused by damage to the brain's immature state. This occurs most often in the infant or early years of childhood. A delay in reaching milestones, such as rolling over, standing up, crawling or walking is a common sign of CP. Children suffering from CP may also have trouble swallowing, and may need a feeding device.

Many factors can contribute to a brain injury causing CP. This includes diseases like toxoplasmosis, or rubella during pregnancy; high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a severe lack of oxygen) during labor or birth is the main cause of CP.

Based on the type of cerebral palsy, the symptoms may vary from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most frequent form. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also known as athetoid choreoathetoid, or choreoathetoid), is characterized by slow and uncontrolled writhing of the arms, legs and the body. Other types of CP include ataxic cerebral Palsy (which is characterized by a shaky motion) or paraplegic CP that affects the legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

While the symptoms of cerebral palsy vary, the majority of people suffering from the condition experience stiffness and decrease in muscle control. They may also be struggling with coordination and balance. The type of issues they experience is dependent on the region of the brain that was injured and the degree of the injury.

Many people with CP require special physical therapy to improve their mobility, flexibility, and muscle tone and stretch their joints and muscles. It can also ease tension and prevent contractures. Braces, exercises or other treatments can be considered.

Musculoskeletal conditions like patella alta, hip dysplasia, cervical stenosis, and scoliosis are prevalent in CP. These can cause major issues in mobility, which decreases the life expectancy of patients.

Speech and language therapy can be used to assist children who are not able to communicate effectively. It can help children develop new ways to communicate. This could include communication board or voice synthesizers.

Medications can be used to ease stiff or overactive muscles and reduce abnormal movement. They also alleviate pain, and to control seizures. These medicines can be taken orally or injected directly into the affected muscles or the fluid surrounding your spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful claim for cerebral palsy can result in compensation for your child to pay for specialist care, equipment and treatment. The amount of compensation will depend upon the physical and mental effects of your child's illness as well as any expenses or losses you might have incurred. This could include the loss of income due to having to take a break from work to care for your children, home modifications and transportation costs.

Your lawyer could hire an specialist in disability care according to the severity of the injuries to your child. This specialist will draft an "life care plan" that details their needs starting at the time of diagnosis until they are adults. This can help calculate an exact compensation amount. This usually takes the form of a lump-sum as well as regular annual payments which could be indexed to keep up with inflation.

You should know that compensation for a successful legal matter is not a windfall. It is a recognition that injustice has occurred, and all due to a medical professional failed in their duty of care during pregnancy, labour and the birth.