How to File a Cerebral Palsy Case

Cerebral palsy is a long-lasting condition that requires medical attention. Children suffering from CP typically visit a pediatrician and a physical rehabilitation and medicine specialist. The doctors will take a medical history, do thorough physical examinations and conduct tests, such as an MRI or CT scan.

A centralia cerebral palsy attorney palsy attorney can help families seek fair compensation for the lifetime needs of their child. Contact us today for a time to set up a an appointment for a free case evaluation.

Diagnosis

Cerebral paralysis is a permanent condition that affects movement, posture, balance and coordination. It is caused by abnormalities or damage to the brain's parts which control the movement of muscles. It usually manifests before or shortly after birth.

Doctors can diagnose cerebral paralysis based on a child's symptoms and medical history, physical exam milestones, growth and the results of diagnostic tests. They may refer an infant, toddler, or child to specialists like pediatric orthopedists, neurologists, and physiatrists. The skin, urine, and blood tests may also be ordered.

Babies born with CP often show delays in the development milestones, and have stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes that aren't seen in normal infants. Low Apgar scores may also be a sign of oxygen deprivation. It can be difficult to diagnose in infants who are still developing, and a diagnosis is usually made by the age of 2. The earlier the child is diagnosed, the more effective treatment options will be. Many families are able to seek out support groups, organizations, and counseling services for their children.

Symptoms

The symptoms of cerebral palsy manifest in early childhood and result from damage to the part of the brain that regulates posture and movement. This damage is permanent and can affect the coordination of muscles and body movements.

Children who suffer from dyskinetic cerebral palsy exhibit jerky, uncontrolled movements of the feet, hands and arms. They may also experience difficulty reaching for objects, picking them up and coloring with crayons. They might snore or have trouble keeping their balance.

Ataxic CP is the least frequent type, which results in unorganized and awkward movement. Hypotonic CP is characterized by low muscle tone and a rag-doll-like movement of the arms and legs.

Doctors often diagnose a child with CP during the first two years of their life, unless it is not severe or in which case they may make a diagnosis by age four or five. Women should be vaccinated against diseases such as rubella and German Measles prior the time they become pregnant to reduce the risk of developing CP. It is essential to take care of all pregnant mothers to prevent complications like premature birth and an infant who is overweight.

Treatment

Cerebral Palsy can result from anything that interferes in brain development, including pregnant infections, complications during labor and birth or head injuries. Cerebral palsy is more prevalent in babies born prior to 32 weeks or having babies who are overweight at birth. Inflammation caused by rubella (German Measles), herpes, cytomegalovirus and maternal fever during pregnancy can cause damage to the nervous system that is developing.

The treatment plan for every person with CP is different for each patient. A pediatric specialist or physical and rehabilitation physician or neurologist should supervise medical care and create treatment plans that take care of specific symptoms and needs.

The use of medications to lessen the tightness of muscles (such as onabotulinumtoxinA and Botox) might be used to improve function and reduce 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 curved back, in severe cases of CP.

Speech therapists can assist children to develop communication skills and also teach parents how to improve their child's communication skills. Recreational therapy helps children participate in enjoyable activities that foster social interaction, self-esteem and motor development.

Support

A good support system can make all the difference. Families with pelham cerebral palsy lawsuit palsy and their children can find a group of people with similar experiences at a local meeting or via the internet. Many groups hold fundraisers to raise money and raise awareness about the condition.

Teachers can aid children with cerebral palsy during school. They can plan for students who will miss class due to medical appointments or medication. They can also create accommodations for students in the classroom like allowing students to travel between classes, take exams or for doctor visits.

Adults who suffer from CP are able to seek advice from an occupational therapist regarding independence, including the need for housing, obtaining jobs and benefits. They can also talk to their doctor to find out whether their medication is working or if something else could be causing their symptoms to get worse.

The mauston cerebral Palsy attorney Palsy Research and Clinical Center of Michigan has a database of local physicians who specialize in this condition. The database is accessible to people in Michigan and lets them search by insurance company.

Legal Questions

Your cerebral palsy attorney can assist you in negotiating a fair settlement with the medical professionals who are accountable for your child's injuries. The legal procedure is about gathering more evidence to prove the medical facilities and doctors involved in the birth injury of your child committed acts of negligence that caused brain injuries and resulted in cerebral palsy.

A legal claim seeks monetary compensation for the harms your family has endured and expected future expenses. It's also about creating changes and other procedures to stop such injuries from happening to others children in the near future.

Some parents fear that filing a medical malpractice lawsuit makes them look greedy or make it appear that they don't respect their child for what they are. But the reality is that the cost of caring for someone with CP could be in the millions.

Find a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you are able to. The sooner you file your case, the better. Every state has its own statute of limitations. A lawyer will explain the laws applicable to your particular area and the steps you need to do next.