How to Make a Successful Cerebral Palsy Claim
A diagnosis of cerebral paralysis can have profound implications on the child's life as well as the lives of their families. Compensation can enable them to lead an active and full life by providing access, equipment and assistance.
Medical negligence is usually the reason for cerebral palsy. It can be caused by the lack of prenatal care, complications during labour and delivery or other occurrences.
Causes
There is no cure for CP but early detection and treatment can improve the abilities of a child. cerebral palsy attorney everett can diagnose CP by observing a child's muscle tone, movement and coordination. They may refer the child to specialists like neurologists, pediatric orthopedists, and physiatrists, who can aid in managing symptoms and improve quality of life.
Every person is affected by cerebral palsy in different ways. It can be moderate and have only a slight impact on a child's ability however, it can also be severe and cause impairments to all body areas. 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 speaking and other functions. If a child only has cerebral palsy on one side of the body, it's called hemiplegia; on both sides, it's called diplegia. Severe CP can cause a locked-in (spastic) condition with muscle spasticity that restricts the person's movement and can lead to issues with speech and eating.
Birth-related medical errors are the leading cause of CP. Doctors, midwives, and nurses should be extra cautious when giving birth to babies because brain damage may result in serious consequences. A doctor may be held liable for mistakes made in the medical field if an error results in cerebral palsy or brain damage due to oxygen deficiency. This includes negligence when scheduling or performing a C section urgently or failing to monitor and escalate the intensity of the labor.
Signs and symptoms
If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, he or is likely to experience an array of physical symptoms. This could include stiff or tight joints and limbs, a limp, erratic movements, and issues with balance and posture. Other problems can include intellectual disabilities, speech delays as well as hearing and vision issues.
Cerebral palsy symptoms are triggered by a degeneration of the brain, usually in early childhood or infants. A slowing down in reaching milestones such as standing up, crawling or walking is a common sign of CP. Children with CP may also have trouble swallowing, and may need a feeding device.
Several factors may contribute to a brain injury that leads to CP. This includes infections like toxoplasmosis or rubella in the womb high blood pressure during pregnancy; and genetic predisposition. Asphyxia (a severe lack of oxygen) during labor or delivery is the main cause of CP.
Based on the kind of cerebral palsy, the symptoms can range from mild to severe. The most frequent kind of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral paralysis, which is characterized by muscles that are stiff. Dyskinetic cerebral Palsy (also called athetoid, choreoathetoid and choreoathetoid) is defined by slow and uncontrolled writhing of the arms, legs and the body. Other types of CP include ataxic cerebral Palsy (which is characterized by a shakey movement) or paraplegic CP, where the arms and legs are affected.
Treatment
While the symptoms specific to cerebral palsy vary, most people with the condition have to deal with stiffness and loss of muscle control. They may also experience issues with balance and coordination. The type of movement problem that they experience is based on the brain region that was injured and the extent of the injury.
Many people suffering from CP require specialized physical therapy to improve their mobility, muscle tone and stretch their joints and muscles. It can also relieve the pain and prevent contractures. Exercises, braces or other treatments could be incorporated.
CP is characterised by musculoskeletal conditions that include hip dysplasia and patella alta. Scoliosis and cervical stenosis may also be present. These can cause major problems in mobility, which can reduce the lifespan of a patient.
Speech and language therapy can be used to assist children who are not able to communicate effectively. This can help them learn new ways of communicating and may include sign language, communication boards, or voice synthesizers.
They can relax stiff or overactive muscles and reduce abnormal movement. They also reduce pain and seizures. These medications are taken by mouth or injected into affected muscles or into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.
Compensation
A successful cerebral palsy claim could result in compensation for your child to pay for medical equipment, specialist care and treatment. The compensation will be based on the physical and mental effects of your child's illness, as well as on any losses or expenses you may have incurred. These could include loss of earnings as you had to stop work to care for your child, house modifications and transport costs to get your child to and from appointments.
Your lawyer could hire an expert in disability in accordance with the severity of the injuries to your child. The specialist will write a "life care plan" which outlines the needs of your child from the time of diagnosis until they are adults. This will allow you to calculate an accurate amount of compensation. This usually takes the form of lump sums as well as regular annual payments, which can be adjusted to keep pace with the rate of inflation.
You should know that the compensation awarded for a successful legal case is not a monetary windfall. It is a recognition that injustice has occurred, and all due to medical professionals did not fulfill their duty of providing care during labor, pregnancy and the birth.