How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim
A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis has profound effects on the child's life as well as the lives of their parents. Compensation can help them live a full and fulfilling life, with access to equipment, treatment and assistance.
Many cases of cerebral palsy arise from medical negligence. This could be due to a lack of prenatal care, complications during labor and delivery or other occurrences.
Causes
Early diagnosis and treatment for CP can improve a child’s abilities. Doctors diagnose CP based on a child's movement, muscle coordination and tone. They may refer the child to specialists, such as pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists and physiatrists. These specialists can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Cerebral palsy affects everyone differently. It can be moderate and have only a slight impact on the child's capabilities but it can also be severe and cause impairments to all body areas. The signs include floppy head (floppy neck) and a muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled, difficulty walking or having difficulties with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy only affects one side of the child's body, it is known as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides of the body, then it is called diplegia. In severe cases, CP can result in a locked-in (spastic) condition characterized by muscle spasticity that restricts a person's movements and leads to difficulties with speech and eating.
The occurrence of medical errors during childbirth is the most common reason for CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses must be careful when delivering babies since brain damage can cause serious harm. If a medical error results in oxygen deprivation, or other brain injuries that cause cerebral palsy, the physician may be held liable for malpractice. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or failing to monitor and increase the intensity of the labor.
Signs and symptoms
If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, he / will likely suffer from various physical symptoms. These could include tight or stiff joints as well as a limp, uncontrolled movement and problems with balance and posture. Other problems include intellectual disabilities, speech delays as well as hearing and vision issues.
The symptoms of cerebral palsy are caused by damage to the brain's immature state. This is usually the case during infancy or the early years of childhood. A delay in reaching milestones such as rolling over, standing up, crawling or walking is a common symptom of CP. Children suffering from CP may also have difficulty swallowing and may require a feeding device.
Several factors may contribute to a brain injury causing CP. This includes infections such as toxoplasmosis or rubella during pregnancy; high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a massive lack of oxygen) during delivery or labor is the leading cause of CP.
Based on the kind of cerebral palsy, symptoms may vary from mild to severe. Spastic cerebral palsy (characterized by stiff muscles) is the most prevalent type. Dyskinetic cerebral Palsy (also called athetoid choreoathetoid, or choreoathetoid) is known as a slow and uncontrolled writhing of the arms, legs and the body. Other forms of CP can include ataxic palsy, which has shakey movements or paraplegic cerebral aphasia, in which legs and arms are affected.
Treatment
Although the symptoms of cerebral palsy may differ, the majority of people who suffer from the condition experience stiffness, as well as a decrease in muscle control. They may also have issues with coordination and balance. The type of problem that they have depends on the area of the brain that was injured and the degree of the injury.
Many people with CP require special physical therapy that can improve their mobility, flexibility, and muscle tone, and stretch their joints and muscles. It can also help relieve discomfort and prevent contractures. It could involve exercises, special braces, or other treatments.
Musculoskeletal disorders like hip dysplasia, patella alta, cervical stenosis, and scoliosis are prevalent in CP. These can cause major problems in mobility, reducing the lifespan of a patient.
Other treatments include speech and language therapies for children who cannot communicate effectively. cerebral palsy attorneys irving can assist them to discover new ways of communicating and could involve signing language, communication boards or voice synthesizers.
They can ease stiff or overactive muscles or muscles, limit abnormal movement, reduce pain and seizures. These drugs can be taken orally or directly into the affected muscles or the fluid surrounding your spinal cord.
Compensation
A successful claim for cerebral palsy could result in compensation for your child to pay for special care, equipment and treatment. The amount of compensation will depend upon the physical and mental consequences of your child's condition, as well as on any losses or expenses you might have incurred. This could include loss of earnings due to having to work less to take care of your children, home adaptations and transport expenses.
Based on the severity of your child's injuries the lawyer may recommend an expert in disability issues to create a "life care plan' that carefully details their needs starting from the date of their diagnosis until adulthood. This can help you calculate the most accurate amount of compensation. It usually will be lump sums and regular annual payments which can be adjusted to keep up with the rate of inflation.
It is important to understand that the compensation for a successful legal matter is not a monetary windfall. It's an acknowledgement of the injustice that occurred due to the fact that medical professionals did not provide the care they were supposed to in pregnancy, labour, and delivery.