How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy can have profound consequences for the child and their family. Compensation can help them lead a full and active life by providing access to treatment, equipment and assistance.

Many cases of cerebral palsy result from medical negligence. This could be caused by inadequate medical attention during pregnancy, issues during the birth process or other incidents.

Causes

Early diagnosis and treatment of CP can improve a child’s abilities. Doctors determine CP in relation to the child's movement, muscle tone and coordination. They may refer the child to specialists, like pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists or physiatrists. These specialists can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Cerebral palsy affects everyone differently. It can be mild and have little impact on a child's abilities, or it can be severe and cause impairments across all body parts. The symptoms can include a head that is floppy (floppy neck), muscles that are stiff and uncontrolled and walking difficulties, or problems with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy only affects one side of the child's body, it is referred to as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides of the body, it is known as diplegia. The severity of CP could result in a locked in (spastic) condition, characterized by muscle spasticity. This can limit the movement of a person and cause difficulty with speech and eating.

Childbirth-related medical errors are a common cause of CP. Midwives, doctors and nurses must be aware when delivering babies because brain damage may have serious consequences. If a medical error results in oxygen deprivation, or other brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy, the doctor could be held accountable for malpractice. This includes a lack of planning or performing a C-section urgently or failing to control and escalate a complicated labor.

Symptoms

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, they will likely exhibit a range of physical signs. They could be characterized by tight or Vimeo.Com stiff joints, a limp, uncontrolled movement and problems with balance and posture. Other issues could include intellectual disabilities, speech delays and hearing and vision issues.

Cerebral palsy is a condition caused due to damage to the young brain, typically in early childhood or infants. A delay in milestones like sitting, rolling over, walking, or crawling may be an indication of CP. Children with CP are also more likely to have difficulties swallowing and may require a feeding tube.

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a brain injury causing CP. These include infections like toxoplasmosis and rubella in the womb, high blood pressure during pregnancy; and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a serious lack of oxygen) during delivery or labor is a leading cause of CP.

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, the symptoms may vary from mild to severe. The most frequent type of oxford cerebral palsy law firm palsy can be described as spastic cerebral palsy, which is characterized by muscles that are stiff. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called athetoid or choreoathetoid) is characterized by slow and uncontrolled movement of the legs, arms and the body. Other types of CP include ataxic cerebral Palsy (which is characterized by a shakey movement) or paraplegic CP in which the arms and legs are affected.

Treatment

Though the symptoms of cerebral palsy can differ, most patients with the condition experience stiffness and loss in muscle control. They might also have problems with coordination and balance. The kind of problems they experience is dependent on the part of the brain that was injured as well as the severity.

Many people suffering from CP require special physical therapy which helps them improve their muscle tone and mobility and stretch and strengthen their joints and muscles. It can also help relieve tension and prevent contractures. Exercises, braces or other treatments can be considered.

CP is characterised by musculoskeletal conditions that include patella alta and hip dysplasia. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis can also be seen. These disorders can lead to significant mobility issues and reduce life expectancy.

Speech and therapy for language are a way to assist children who are unable to communicate effectively. It can help children develop new ways to communicate and could include sign language, communication board, or voice synthesizers.

These medications can be used to ease stiff or overactive muscles, reduce abnormal movement, relieve pain, and control seizures. The medications are administered by mouth or injected into the affected muscles or into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.

Compensation

A successful cerebral palsy claim can result in compensation for your child to pay for specialist care, equipment and treatment. The amount of compensation will be based on the mental and physical effects of your child's condition and any expenses or losses you may have suffered. This could be a loss of earnings due to you having to work less to take care of your children, home modifications and transportation costs.

Your lawyer may hire an expert in disability, depending on the severity of the injury to your child. The expert will develop a "life care plan" that outlines their needs from the moment they are diagnosed until they reach the age of adulthood. This will help you calculate the most accurate compensation amount. This is usually in the form of a lump-sum and recurring annual payments which could be indexed to keep pace with the rate of inflation.

You should know that compensation for a successful legal case is not a quick cash payout. It's a recognition of the fact that injustice has occurred due to medical professionals failed to fulfill their obligation to care during pregnancy, labour and the birth.