How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis can have a profound impact on the life of the child as well as the lives of their family. Compensation can enable them to lead a full and active life by providing access, equipment and assistance.

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

Causes

There is no cure for CP however early diagnosis and treatment can enhance the child's capabilities. Doctors determine CP through the child's muscle tone and coordination. They may refer the child to specialists, like pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists and physiatrists. These specialists can assist in managing symptoms and improve quality of life.

Every person suffers from cerebral palsy in a different way. It can be mild with minimal impact on a child's ability to function, or severe enough to cause physical impairments throughout the body. The signs can include a Floppy head (floppy neck), muscles that are stiff or inflexible and walking difficulties, or issues with speech or other functions. If a child's condition is cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's called hemiplegia. When it happens on both sides, it's diplegia. Severe CP could cause locked in (spastic) condition that is characterized by muscle spasticity. This can restrict the ability of a person to move and can cause difficulty with speech and eating.

Medical mistakes in childbirth are a frequent reason for CP. Nurses, midwives, and doctors should be cautious when delivering a baby because damage to the brain may cause serious harm. If a medical mistake causes oxygen deprivation or other brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy, the doctor may be held liable for negligence. This is the case when scheduling or performing a Csection urgently or failing to supervise and escalate an arduous labor.

Symptoms

If your child has cerebral palsy, he or will likely suffer from various physical symptoms. They could be characterized by tight or stiff joints and limbs, a limp, erratic movements, and issues with balance and posture. Other issues can include speech delays, intellectual disability and hearing and vision issues.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy lawsuit palsy are caused by damage to the brain's maturation. It is most commonly seen during the infancy years of childhood. A slowing down in reaching milestones such as sitting up, crawling, or walking is a common symptom of CP. Children with CP might also have trouble swallowing and may require a feeding device.

Many factors can contribute to the development of a brain injury that triggers CP that can be caused by infections such as rubella, cytomegalovirus or toxoplasmosis in the womb and Cerebral Palsy high blood pressure in pregnancy, and genetic predisposition. A significant lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during birth or labor is a major cause of CP as is the occurrence of bleeding in the brain that results from damaged or blocked blood vessels.

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, the symptoms can range from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most common form. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called choreoathetoid, or athetoid) involves uncontrolled and slow motions of the arms, legs and the body. Other types of CP may include ataxic cerebral palsy, which has shakey movements, or paraplegic cerebral palsy lawyer palsy where the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

While the symptoms specific to cerebral palsy can vary, a majority of people suffering from the condition are required to manage stiffness and loss of muscle control. They might also have problems with balance and coordination. The type of movement issue that they face is determined by the brain region that was injured and the extent of the injury.

Many people with CP require specific physical therapy that assists them to improve their muscle tone and mobility as well as stretch and exercise their muscles and joints. It can also ease tension and prevent contracture. It could include exercises, special braces or other treatments.

Musculoskeletal disorders such as patella alta, hip dysplasia, cervical stenosis, and scoliosis are prevalent in CP. These disorders can lead to significant mobility issues, cerebral palsy which reduces life expectancy.

Other treatments can include speech and language therapy for children who cannot communicate effectively. This can help them learn new ways of communicating and may involve sign language, communication boards, or voice synthesizers.

These medications are used to limit abnormal movements, reduce pain, and control seizures. These medications can be taken orally or injected directly into the affected muscles, or into the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful cerebral palsy claim could result in compensation for your child's for special care, equipment and treatment. The amount will be determined on the physical and mental consequences of your child's condition as well as any losses or expenses you may have suffered. These could include loss of earnings because you have had to leave work in order to care for your child, home modifications and transportation costs to transport your child to and from appointments.

Depending on the extent of your child's injury, your lawyer may hire an expert in disability care to draft a 'life care plan' that clearly defines their needs beginning with the date of their diagnosis until adulthood. This can help calculate an exact compensation amount. This is usually in the form of a lump-sum and recurring annual payments that can be adjusted to keep pace with the rate of inflation.

It is important to know that the compensation resulting from a successful legal action isn't a gimmick. It's a way of acknowledging an the injustice that occurred due to the fact that medical professionals failed to meet their duty of care during labour, pregnancy and birth.