It's Time To Extend Your Cerebral Palsy Case Options How to File a Cerebral Palsy Case

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that requires medical attention. Children with CP usually visit a pediatrician along with a physical rehabilitation and medicine specialist. Their doctors will conduct a thorough physical examination, take a detailed medical history and perform tests such as MRI or CT scans.

A cerebral palsy lawyer can help families obtain an equitable amount of compensation for the lifelong needs of their child. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation.

Diagnosis


Cerebral palsy is a chronic condition that affects movement, posture, coordination and balance. It is caused by injuries or disorders in the regions of the brain that regulate muscle movement, and it typically occurs prior to or shortly after birth.

Doctors may make a diagnosis of cerebral palsy after analyzing the child's symptoms such as medical history, physical examination, as well as monitoring growth and milestones, as well as review the results of diagnostic tests. They may refer an infant, toddler, or child to specialists like pediatric orthopedists, neurologists and physiatrists. Tests of urine, blood and skin might also be ordered.

Babies with CP may show delayed developmental milestones as well as stiff muscles and exaggerated reactions that aren't found in normal babies. They may also have low Apgar scores, which could indicate oxygen deprivation. It isn't easy to recognize the condition in infants that are still developing. A definitive diagnosis is usually made by age two. The sooner a child's illness is diagnosed, the better the treatment will be. Many families find it beneficial to look for support groups as well as organizations for their children.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of cerebral palsy appear in the beginning of childhood and are caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls movement and posture. This damage is not reverseable and can affect the coordination of muscles and body movements.

Children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy have uncontrolled, jerky movements in the feet, hands and arms. They may also have difficulty reaching, lifting objects and coloring with crayons. They might snore or have difficulty maintaining their balance.

The most common kind of CP is ataxic, which results in slow and unorganized movements. Hypotonic CP is defined by muscle tone that is low and a rag-doll-like movement of the arms and legs.

Doctors usually detect CP within the first two years of a child's life, except for mild. In cerebral palsy lawsuit baton rouge , they may make a diagnosis at age four or five. To lower the risk of developing CP women should be vaccinated before pregnancy against illnesses that can cause fetal brain damage, such as rubella and German measles. It is also crucial for mothers to receive regular prenatal check-ups during the pregnancy, which can help avoid complications such as premature birth and low birth weight.

Treatment

Cerebral palsy may result by anything that hinders the development of the brain, such as pregnant infections or during labor, complications in the process of birth, or head injuries. Cerebral Palsy is more frequent when babies are born before 32 weeks or with the baby's weight being low at birth. Maternal febrile illness during pregnancy, rubella (German measles) and cytomegalovirus infections can cause inflammation that harms the developing nervous system.

The treatment plan for every person suffering from CP differs. A pediatric specialist, physical and rehabilitation doctor or neurologist should supervise medical care and formulate treatment plans that take care of specific symptoms and needs.

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

Speech therapists can assist children to learn to communicate and teach parents how to improve their child's communication abilities. The therapeutic approach to recreation involves children participating in activities that are fun to encourage social interaction, self esteem and motor skills development.

Support

Getting the right support can make all the difference. Families with cerebral palsy and their children may find a group of individuals who share similar experiences at a local meeting or on the internet. Many groups organize fundraisers to raise money and raise awareness for the condition.

Teachers can help children with cerebral palsy in the classroom. They can plan ahead when students will miss class due to doctor visits or to take medication. They can also make accommodations in the classroom for things like giving students extra time between classes or to take examinations.

Adults with CP may seek help from an occupational therapist regarding autonomy, such as housing, finding a job, and receiving benefits. They can also talk with their doctor about whether their medicines are working and if they have any other issues 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 accessible to residents of Michigan and lets them search by insurance provider.

Legal Issues

Your cerebral palsy attorney can help you negotiate an appropriate settlement with medical professionals accountable for your child's injuries. The legal process requires additional evidence that shows that the doctors and medical facilities accountable for the birth injury of your child committed mistakes that resulted in cerebral palsy and brain damage.

A legal claim seeks monetary compensation for the harms your family has suffered and anticipated future expenses. It's about making adjustments and adopting additional policies to prevent these kinds of injuries from occurring in the future.

Parents are concerned that filing a lawsuit for medical malpractice will make them look greedy, or look like they don't accept the child they have. The cost of caring for a CP patient could be in the millions.

Find a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. The sooner you file your case the better. Each state has its own statute of limitations. A lawyer can provide you with the laws in your region, and also what you should do next.