How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim
A diagnosis of cerebral palsy has a profound effect on the child and their family. cerebral palsy attorneys las cruces can allow them to live a full life with access to equipment, care and assistance.
Many cases of cerebral palsy result from medical negligence. It can be caused by inadequate prenatal care, problems during labour and delivery or other occurrences.
Causes
There is no cure for CP but early detection and treatment may improve a child's abilities. Doctors diagnose CP by observing a child's muscle tone, movement and coordination. They may refer a child to specialists like neurologists, pediatric orthopedists, and physiatrists to aid in managing symptoms and improve life-quality.
Every person is affected by cerebral palsy in a unique way. It can be mild with a minimal effect on a child's ability function, or it can be extremely severe and cause impairments throughout the body. It can be characterized by the appearance of a floppy (floppy neck) head and muscles that are stiff or uncontrolled as well as difficulty walking or having difficulty with speech and other functions. If cerebral palsy affects only one side of a child's body, it is known as hemiplegia. If it affects both sides of the body, it is known as diplegia. Severe CP can cause locked in (spastic) condition that is characterized by muscle spasticity. This could limit a person's movement and result in difficulty speaking and eating.
The occurrence of medical errors during childbirth is one of the main causes of CP. Doctors, midwives, and nurses should be careful when delivering babies since brain damage can have serious consequences. A doctor could be held responsible for mistakes made in the medical field if an error causes cerebral palsy or brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing a C-section in a hurry or failing to monitor and escalate an intense labor.
Symptoms
If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, he / is likely to have an array of physical symptoms. These symptoms could include tight or stiff muscles, a limp, uncontrolled movement, and issues with balance and posture. Other issues include speech delays, intellectual disabilities and hearing and vision problems.
The symptoms of cerebral palsy result from damage to an immature brain. It usually occurs in the infant or early years of childhood. A delay in milestones like rolling over, sitting, crawling, or walking can be an indication of CP. Children suffering from CP may also have difficulty swallowing and may require a feeding device.
Many factors can contribute to a brain injury that leads to CP. These include infections such as toxoplasmosis or rubella in the womb; high blood pressure during pregnancy and genetic predisposition. A serious lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) during birth or labor is the main cause of CP, as is bleeding in the brain due to blood vessels that are damaged or blocked.
Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, the symptoms can range from mild to severe. The most frequent form of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral paralysis, which is characterised by muscles that are stiff. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called choreoathetoid, or athetoid) involves uncontrolled and slow motions of the arms, legs and the body. Other types of CP might include ataxic palsy, which is characterized by shakey movements, or paraplegic cerebral palsy, in which the arms and legs are affected.
Treatment
Although the symptoms of cerebral palsy may vary, the majority of sufferers of the condition experience stiffness and a loss in muscle control. They may also have problems with balance and coordination. The type of movement problems they have depend on the area of their brain that was injured and the extent of the injury.
Many people with CP require special physical therapy that can improve their mobility, muscle tone, and stretch their muscles and joints. It can also ease tension and prevent contracture. It may include exercises, special braces or other treatments.
CP is defined by musculoskeletal problems that include hip dysplasia and patella alta. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis can also be seen. These can cause major problems in mobility, reducing life expectancy.
Other treatments could include speech and language therapy for children who are unable to communicate effectively. This can help children learn new ways of communicating and could include communication board or voice synthesizers.
These medicines are used to limit abnormal movements, ease pain, and control seizures. These medications can be administered orally, or directly injected into the muscles affected, or into the surrounding fluid of your spinal cord.
Compensation
If your cerebral palsy case is successful, you may be awarded compensation to pay for your child's specialist care, equipment, and treatment. This will be determined by the psychological and physical impacts that your child's condition has had on them, in addition to any costs or losses that you've incurred. This could include loss of earnings due to the fact that you have to quit work to care for your children, home adaptations and transport costs.
Depending on the severity of your child's injuries the lawyer may recommend an expert in disability services to develop a "lifecare plan' that defines their needs starting from the date of their diagnosis until adulthood. This will allow you to calculate a more accurate compensation sum. This typically is in the form of lump sums and regular annual payments which can be adjusted to keep pace with the rate of inflation.
You should be aware that compensation from a successful legal case isn't a quick buck. It is a recognition of injustice that occurred because medical professionals did not fulfill their duty of care in labour, pregnancy and the delivery.