How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim
A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis can have profound effects on the life of the child and the lives of their family. Compensation can help them live a full life with access to equipment, treatment and assistance.
Many cases of cerebral palsy result from medical negligence. It can be caused by the lack of prenatal care, problems during labour and delivery or other incidents.
Causes
There is no cure for CP however, early diagnosis and treatment may improve the capabilities of a child. Doctors diagnose CP by looking at the tone of a child's muscles and coordination, as well as movement. They might refer the child to specialists, such as pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists or physiatrists. These specialists can assist in managing symptoms and improve quality of life.
Every person is affected by cerebral palsy in different ways. It can be mild with a minimal effect on a child's ability to perform, or it can be severe and cause physical impairments throughout the body. The signs can include a floppy head (floppy neck) muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled and walking difficulties, or problems with speech and other functions. If a child has cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's referred to as hemiplegia. On cerebral palsy attorney billings , it's called diplegia. Severe CP can lead to a locked-in (spastic) condition characterized by muscle spasticity that restricts the person's movement and can lead to issues with speech and eating.
Medical mistakes during childbirth are the most common cause of CP. Nurses, midwives, and doctors should be cautious when delivering a baby because damage to the brain can result in serious consequences. A physician could be held responsible for mistakes made in the medical field if an error results in cerebral palsy, or brain damage due to oxygen deficiency. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or failing to supervise and escalate the intensity of the labor.
Symptoms
If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, they'll most likely display a variety of physical signs. These symptoms could include tight or stiff muscles, a limp, uncontrolled movements, and problems with posture and balance. Other problems include speech delays, intellectual disabilities and vision and hearing problems.
The symptoms of cerebral palsy result from damage to the brain of an infant. It usually occurs during infancy or the early years of childhood. A delay in reaching milestones such as rolling over, standing up, crawling or walking is a typical sign of CP. Children with CP might also have trouble swallowing and may require a feeding device.
A variety of factors can trigger the development of a brain injury that leads to CP and other conditions, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, or toxoplasmosis in the womb and high blood pressure in pregnancy and genetic predisposition. A serious lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during birth or labor is a major cause of CP as is bleeding in the brain from blood vessels that are damaged or blocked.
Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, the symptoms may vary from mild to severe. The most common type of cerebral palsy can be described as spastic cerebral palsy. It is defined by stiff muscles. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called athetoid, choreoathetoid and choreoathetoid), is defined by the uncontrolled writhing and swaying of the legs, arms, and body. Other forms of CP include ataxic cerebral Palsy (which is characterized by a shakey movement) or paraplegic CP that affects the legs and arms are affected.
Treatment
While the symptoms specific to cerebral palsy can vary, a majority of people with the condition have to deal with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They may also have issues with coordination and balance. The type of issues they suffer from depend on the area of their brain that was injured as well as the degree of the injury.
Many people suffering from CP require specialized physical therapy that helps them to improve their mobility and muscle tone and stretch and work their joints and muscles. It can also relieve tension and prevent contractures. Braces, exercises or other treatments might be incorporated.
Musculoskeletal disorders like hip dysplasia, patella alta, cervical stenosis, and scoliosis are common in CP. These conditions can cause major mobility problems which can reduce the life expectancy of patients.
Speech and therapy for language may be used to assist children who are unable to communicate effectively. This can help them discover new ways to communicate and may include sign language, communication boards, or voice synthesizers.
Medications can be used to ease stiff or overactive muscles or muscles, limit abnormal movement, reduce pain and seizures. The medication is taken by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the fluid around the spinal cord.
Compensation
A successful claim for cerebral palsy can result in compensation for your child to pay for special care, equipment and treatment. The compensation will be based on the mental and physical consequences of your child's condition and any losses or expenses you might have incurred. This could include the loss of income because you had to work less to care for your children, home modifications and transportation costs.
Depending on the severity of your child's injuries the lawyer may recommend an expert in disability care to create a "life care plan' that clearly outlines all their needs starting from the date of their diagnosis until they reach adulthood. This will allow you to calculate the most accurate compensation amount. It usually takes the form of a lump sum and regular annual payments, which could be indexed to keep up with inflation.
You should be aware that a payout from a legal action isn't a gimmick. It's an acknowledgement that injustice was committed, all because medical professionals didn't fulfill their duty of medical care during pregnancy, labour and the birth.