10 Failing Answers To Common Cerebral Palsy Attorneys Questions: Do You Know The Right Ones? How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis has a profound effect on the child and their family. Compensation can help them live a fuller life, with access to medical equipment, care and support.

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

Causes

There is no cure for CP, but early diagnosis and treatment can help improve the abilities of a child. Doctors diagnose CP through the child's movement, 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.

Cerebral palsy affects every person differently. It can be mild, with a minimal effect on a child's ability to perform, or it can be severe and result in impairments throughout the body. It can be characterized by the appearance of a floppy (floppy neck) head and muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled and walking difficulties, or having difficulty speaking and other functions. If a child only has cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's referred to as hemiplegia. If it occurs on both sides, it's called diplegia. In severe cases, CP could cause a locked in (spastic) condition that is characterized by muscle spasticity. This can restrict the person's mobility and create difficulties with speech and eating.

cerebral palsy lawyer eau claire in childbirth are an often-repeated cause of CP. Nurses, doctors, and midwives should be extra cautious when delivering the baby as damage to the brain could result in serious consequences. A physician may be held liable for malpractice if a medical error results in cerebral palsy or brain damage due to oxygen deficiency. This includes a lack of planning or performing a C-section in a hurry or inability to monitor and escalate a complex labor.

Signs and symptoms

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, they'll likely exhibit a range of physical symptoms. These symptoms could include stiff or tight muscles, a limp, uncontrolled movements, as well as issues with posture and balance. Other problems include intellectual disabilities, speech delays and hearing and vision problems.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy are caused by damage to the brain of an infant. It is most commonly seen in the infant or early years of childhood. A delay in reaching milestones, such as rolling over, standing up, crawling or walking is a typical symptom of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to experience trouble swallowing and might need a feeding tube.

Many factors can contribute to a brain injury causing CP. These include infections such as toxoplasmosis or rubella during pregnancy; high blood pressure during pregnancy; and genetic predisposition. A severe lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during labor or delivery is a major reason for CP, as is bleeding in the brain that results from damaged or blocked blood vessels.

The symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the type. The most commonly encountered type of cerebral palsy can be described as spastic cerebral paralysis, which is characterized by muscles that are stiff. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also known as choreoathetoid or athetoid) is characterized by slow, uncontrolled writhing movements of the legs, arms and the body. Other types of CP include ataxic cerebral Palsy (which has a shaky movement) or paraplegic CP which affects the legs and arms are affected.

Treatment

While the symptoms specific to cerebral palsy vary, most people suffering from the condition are required to cope with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They may also have issues with coordination and balance. The type of movement problems they have depend on the area of the brain which was injured and the severity.

Many people with CP require specialized physical therapy that helps them improve their muscle tone and mobility and stretch and strengthen their joints and muscles. It also helps relieve discomfort and help prevent contractures. It could involve exercises, braces that are specially designed, or other treatments.

CP is defined by musculoskeletal problems such as patella alta and hip dysplasia. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis can also be seen. These disorders can lead to major mobility problems which can reduce the life expectancy of patients.

Other treatments may include speech and language therapy for children who are unable to communicate effectively. This can help them to discover new ways of communicating and could involve signing language, communication boards, or voice synthesizers.

They can relax muscles that are stiff or overactive, reduce abnormal movement, relieve pain, and control seizures. The medication is taken by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the surrounding fluid around the spinal cord.


Compensation

If your case of cerebral palsy is successful, you may be compensated to cover the cost of medical equipment, specialist care and treatment. This will be determined by the psychological and physical impact that your child's condition has caused on them, in addition to any costs or losses that you've incurred. This could be a loss of earnings due to having to work less to care for your children, home modifications and transportation expenses.

Your lawyer may hire an expert in disability, depending on the extent of the injury to your child. This specialist will draft a "life care plan" which outlines the needs of your child starting at the time of diagnosis until they turn adults. This will help you calculate a more accurate compensation sum. This typically takes the form of lump sums as well as regular annual payments, which can be adjusted to reflect inflation.

It is important to understand that the amount of compensation you receive for a legal case that is successful is not a cash-flow opportunity. It's a recognition of the fact that injustice was committed, all because a medical professional failed in their duty of medical care during pregnancy, labour and delivery.