How to File a Cerebral Palsy Case

Cerebral psy is a condition that lasts a lifetime and requires medical care. Children with CP typically visit a pediatrician as well as a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist. The doctors will conduct a thorough physical exam and take a thorough medical history and perform tests such as MRI or CT scans.

A reputable cerebral palsy lawyer can help families seek fair compensation for their child's lifelong requirements. Contact us today to arrange an appointment for a no-cost consultation.

Diagnosis

cerebral palsy attorney palsy is a permanent condition that affects posture, movement, coordination and balance. It is caused by the damage or malfunctions in the parts of the brain that control the movement of muscles. It typically occurs prior to or shortly after birth.

Doctors may make a diagnosis of cerebral palsy after analyzing a child's symptoms, medical history and physical exam, monitoring growth and milestones, and looking over the results of diagnostic tests. They may refer the infant, toddler or child to specialists, such as a pediatric orthopedist, neurologists and Cerebral palsy lawyer physiatrists. Blood, urine and skin tests can also be ordered.

Babies with CP might exhibit delayed developmental milestones as well as stiff muscles and exaggerated reactions not typical of normal babies. They also might have low Apgar scores, which could suggest oxygen deprivation. The condition may be difficult to diagnose in babies who are still developing, and a definitive diagnosis is usually made by 2 years of age. The earlier a child's condition can be diagnosed, the better the treatment will be. Many families find it beneficial to find support groups, organizations and counseling services for their children.

Signs and symptoms

The signs of cerebral palsy usually appear in the beginning of childhood. They are caused by damage to the brain part that controls posture and movement. This damage is not reversible, and it affects the coordination of muscles and body movements.

Children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy experience uncontrolled, jerky movements in the feet, hands, and arms. They may also have difficulty reaching, picking objects up and coloring with crayons. They may snore and have trouble keeping their balance and walk on the tip of their toes.

Ataxic CP is the least frequent kind, resulting in unorganized and awkward movement. The people with hypotonic CP have low muscle tone and their arms and legs move effortlessly and look like those of an rug doll.

Doctors typically diagnose CP within the first two years of a child's life, except for mild. In that case, they might be able to diagnose it at four or five. To decrease the chance of developing CP, women should get immunized prior to pregnancy against diseases that could cause fetal brain damage, including rubella and German measles. Prenatal care is essential for all pregnant mothers to prevent complications such as premature birth and insufficient weight at birth.

Treatment

Cerebral palsy is caused by any cause that hinders brain development, from infections in pregnancy to complications during labor and birth to head injuries. Baby born before 32 weeks or with a low birth weight are at increased chance of developing cerebral palsy. Inflammation caused by rubella (German measles) and herpes, cytomegalovirus and maternal fever during pregnancy can affect the nervous system of the baby.

The treatment plan for each person with CP differs. A pediatric specialist, physical and rehabilitation doctor or neurologist should oversee medical care and create treatment plans that take care of specific symptoms and needs.

Medications to reduce the tightness of muscles (such as onabotulinumtoxinA and Botox) may be used to improve functionality and ease discomfort or other symptoms. Surgery can be used to lengthen muscles that are stiff and tightly contracted, or to correct spinal issues like an abnormally curving back, in the most severe cases of CP.

Speech therapists assist children in learning to communicate or speak and can also teach parents how to facilitate their child's communication skills. Therapy for recreation lets children participate in activities that encourage social interaction, self-esteem and motor Cerebral palsy lawyer skill development.

Support

The right support can make all the difference. Families who have riverbank cerebral palsy attorney palsy and their children can join an entire group of people with similar experiences at local meetings or on the internet. Many groups host fundraisers to raise funds and awareness for the condition.

Teachers can help children with cerebral palsy in school. They can plan ahead for times when students will miss class due to doctor visits or to take medication. They can also provide accommodations in the classroom, like allowing students to travel between classes and complete exams or for doctor visits.

Adults with CP can seek out advice from an occupational therapist about their independence, including the need for housing, obtaining jobs and benefits. They can also talk with their doctor about whether or not their medications are working and if there's anything that could be making the symptoms worse.

The Cerebral Palsy Research and Clinical Center of Michigan has a database of local physicians who specialize in this condition. The database is available to people in Michigan and allows them to search by insurance company.

Legal Questions

Your cerebral palsy lawyer will assist you get a fair settlement from medical professionals who are responsible for your child's injuries. The legal process involves obtaining more evidence to prove that the physicians and medical facilities involved in your child's birth injury committed acts of negligence, causing brain injury and that led to cerebral palsy.

A legal claim can be a means to get financial compensation for the losses suffered by your family and the future costs that are anticipated. It's also about making changes and implementing additional procedures to stop such injuries from happening to other children in the future.

Some parents worry that filing a medical malpractice suit could make them appear greedy, or make it appear that they don't respect their child for what they are. The cost of caring for a CP patient could be in the millions.

Contact a lawyer for medical malpractice as soon as you can. Each state has its own time limit for filing a lawsuit and the sooner you begin your case the better. A lawyer will explain the laws applicable to your state and tell you what you must do next.