Watch This: How Cerebral Palsy Attorneys Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It
How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim A diagnosis of cerebral palsy has profound effects on the child and their family. Compensation can allow them to live a full and fulfilling life, with access to the equipment, care and assistance. Many cases of cerebral palsy result from medical negligence. This could be due to a lack of prenatal care, complications during labor and birth or other occurrences. Causes There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment can help improve the child's capabilities. cerebral palsy law firm fairfield can diagnose CP by observing a child's muscle tone and coordination. They can refer children to specialists like pediatric orthopedists, neurologists and physiatrists to assist in managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Every person suffers from cerebral palsy in a different way. It can be mild having a minimal impact on a child's ability function, or severe and cause impairments throughout the body. Some of the symptoms include an oversized (floppy neck) head and stiff or uncontrolled muscles that are difficult to walk, or having difficulty speaking and other functions. If cerebral palsy affects only one side of a child's body, it is referred to as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides of the body, it is known as diplegia. A severe CP can lead to a locked-in (spastic) condition that causes muscle spasticity that restricts the movement of a person and can lead to difficulties in speaking and eating. Birth-related medical errors are one of the main causes of CP. Nurses, midwives, and doctors should be extra cautious when delivering a baby because damage to the brain may have serious consequences. If a medical error causes oxygen deprivation or other brain injury that causes cerebral palsy, the doctor could be held responsible for negligence. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or failing to monitor and increase an arduous labor. Symptoms If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, they'll most likely show a variety of physical signs. The symptoms can include tight or stiff muscles or joints, a limp, uncontrolled movements, as well as issues with balance and posture. Other issues include intellectual disabilities, speech delays as well as hearing and vision problems. Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by damage to the developing brain, most often in early childhood or infants. A delay in achieving milestones such as standing up, crawling or walking is a typical symptom of CP. Children suffering from CP might also have trouble swallowing and may require a feeding device. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to an injury to the brain that results in CP. These include diseases like toxoplasmosis, or rubella in the womb; high blood pressure during pregnancy; and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a severe lack of oxygen) during labor or birth is a leading cause of CP. Symptoms may range from mild to extreme based on the type. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most commonly encountered form. Dyskinetic cerebral Palsy (also called athetoid choreoathetoid, choreoathetoid) is defined by the uncontrolled writhing and swaying of the arms, legs and the body. Other types of CP might include ataxic palsy, characterized by an unstable motion or paraplegic cerebral palsy, in which legs and arms are affected. Treatment Though the symptoms of cerebral palsy can vary, the majority sufferers of the condition experience stiffness, as well as a decrease in muscle control. They may also have problems with balance and coordination. The type of problems they suffer from depend on the area of their brain which was injured and the extent of the injury. Many people with CP need specific physical therapy in order to improve their muscle tone, mobility, and stretch their joints and muscles. It can also ease discomfort and prevent contracture. Exercises, braces or other treatments could be included. Musculoskeletal issues like hip dysplasia, patella alta, cervical stenosis, and scoliosis are prevalent in CP. These can cause significant issues in mobility, which reduces life expectancy. Other treatments include speech and language therapies for children who cannot communicate effectively. This can help children discover new ways of communicating. These could include signing language, a communication board or voice synthesizers. These medications can be used to stop abnormal movements, reduce the pain, and manage seizures. These drugs can be taken orally or injected directly into the affected muscles or the fluid surrounding your spinal cord. Compensation If your cerebral palsy case is successful, you will be compensated to you pay for specialist care, equipment, and treatment. The amount of 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 leave work in order to take care of your child, home adaptions and transportation costs to transport your child to and from appointments. Your lawyer may hire an expert in disability, depending on the degree of the injury to your child. The specialist will create an “life care plan” that details their needs from the moment they are diagnosed until they are adults. This can help determine the most accurate compensation amount. This usually will be a lump sum and regular annual payments which can be adjusted to keep pace with inflation. It is important to understand that the compensation awarded for a successful legal claim is not a windfall. It is a recognition that injustice has occurred, all because medical professionals failed to fulfill their duty of providing care during labor, pregnancy and the birth.