The Best Advice You Can Ever Receive About Cerebral Palsy Attorneys
How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim
A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis has profound implications on the life of the child and that of their family. Compensation can help them lead an active and fulfilling life by providing access to treatment and equipment, as well as support.
Many cases of cerebral palsy stem from medical negligence. This can be caused by an absence of medical attention prior to pregnancy, problems during labor and birth or other events.
Causes
Early diagnosis and treatment for CP can enhance a child's abilities. Doctors diagnose CP in relation to a child's movement, muscle tone and coordination. They might refer the child to specialists such as pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists, and physiatrists. These specialists can assist in managing symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Cerebral palsy affects all people differently. It can be relatively mild and have no impact on the abilities of a child, or it can be severe and cause impairments across every body part. It can be characterized by the appearance of a floppy (floppy neck) head, stiff or uncontrolled muscles as well as difficulty walking or having difficulty with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy only affects the child's body, it is known as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides of the body, it is referred to as diplegia. A severe CP may lead to locked in (spastic) condition, characterized by muscle spasticity. This can restrict a person's movement and result in difficulty speaking and eating.
Medical mistakes in childbirth are a common cause of CP. Doctors, midwives and nurses must be cautious when delivering babies as brain damage could result in serious consequences. A physician may be held liable for negligence if a medical 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 not being able to monitor and escalate the intensity of labor.
Signs and symptoms
If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, he or she will likely have a combination of physical symptoms. These could include tight joints or stiff joints or muscles, a limp, involuntary movement and problems with balance and posture. Other issues can include speech delays, intellectual disability and hearing and vision problems.
Cerebral palsy symptoms are triggered by damage to the developing brain, most often during infancy or early childhood. A delay in achieving milestones such as sitting up, crawling or walking is a common sign of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to have difficulty swallowing and may require feeding tubes.
A variety of factors can cause a brain injury causing CP. These include infections such as toxoplasmosis or rubella during pregnancy; high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. A significant lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during birth or labor is the main cause of CP as is the occurrence of bleeding in the brain caused by damaged or blocked blood vessels.
Based on the kind of cerebral palsy, the symptoms can vary from mild to severe. The most frequent form of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral paralysis, which is manifested by stiff muscles. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called choreoathetoid, or athetoid) is characterized by slow, uncontrolled writhing movements of the legs, arms and body. Other types of CP may include ataxic cerebral palsy, characterized by a shaky motion, or paraplegic cerebral palsy, in which the legs and arms are affected.
Treatment
While the symptoms of cerebral palsy differ, the majority of patients with the condition experience stiffness, as well as a decrease in muscle control. They may also have issues with coordination and balance. The kind of problems they experience is dependent on the area of the brain which was injured and the extent of the injury.
Many people suffering from CP require special physical therapy which helps them improve their muscle tone and mobility and stretch and exercise their muscles and joints. It can also ease the pain and help prevent contractures. It can include exercises, special braces or other treatments.
Musculoskeletal issues like hip dysplasia, patella alta, cervical stenosis and scoliosis are prevalent in CP. These can cause significant issues in mobility, which can reduce the lifespan of a patient.
Speech and therapy for language can be used to assist children who are unable to communicate effectively. This can help children discover new ways to communicate. cerebral palsy lawyer gainesville could include signing language, a communication board or voice synthesizers.
These medicines can be used to reduce abnormal movements, ease the pain, and manage seizures. These medications can be administered orally or directly into the affected muscles or into the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord.
Compensation
If your case of cerebral palsy is successful, you will receive compensation to pay for your child's special care, equipment, and treatment. This will be determined by the psychological and physical impact that your child's condition has caused on them, as well as any expenses and losses that you've incurred. This could include the loss of income due to you having to take a break from work to care for your children, home modifications and transportation costs.
Depending on the severity of your child's injuries the lawyer might recommend hiring an expert in disability care to write a "life care plan' that carefully defines their needs from the time of their diagnosis until they reach adulthood. This can help you determine an exact amount of compensation. It usually takes the form of a lump-sum as well as regular annual payments that can be adjusted to keep up with inflation.
It is important to know that the compensation for a legal case that is successful is not a cash-flow opportunity. It's a recognition of injustice that occurred because medical professionals failed to provide the care they were supposed to in pregnancy, labour, and birth.