7 Things You ve Never Knew About Cerebral Palsy Case

How to File a Cerebral Palsy Case

Cerebral palsy is a long-lasting condition that requires medical treatment. Children with CP often visit a pediatrician along with a physical rehabilitation and medicine specialist. Their doctors will conduct a thorough physical examination, take a detailed medical history, and conduct tests such as MRI or CT scans.

A cerebral palsy attorney can help families obtain an equitable amount of compensation for the lifelong needs of their child. Contact us now to schedule an appointment for a no-cost case review.

Diagnosis

Cerebral Palsy is a condition that affects the ability to move, balance and control. It is caused by damaged or abnormalities in the areas of the brain that regulate muscles, and it typically occurs before or shortly after birth.

Doctors can make a diagnosis of cerebral palsy by looking at a child's symptoms along with medical history and physical examination, and observing growth and milestones, and reviewing the results of diagnostic tests. They may refer the toddler, infant or child to specialists like neurologists, orthopedists for children and physiatrists. Skin, urine, and blood tests are also possible to order.

Babies born with CP typically have delays in the development milestones, and have stiff muscles and overexaggerated reflexes, which are not seen in normal babies. They also might have low Apgar scores, which can suggest oxygen deprivation. It can be difficult to diagnose the condition in infants that are still developing. A definitive diagnosis is usually made by the age of two. The earlier a child's condition is recognized, the better treatment will be. Many families find it helpful to seek out support groups and organizations for their children.

Symptoms

The symptoms of cerebral palsy typically manifest in the beginning of childhood. They are caused by damage done to the brain part that controls the movement and posture. This damage is not reverseable and affects the coordination of muscles and body movements.

Children suffering from dyskinetic cerebral palsy have uncontrolled, jerky movements in their hands, feet, and arms. They may also experience difficulty reaching, picking objects up and coloring with crayons. They may be drooling or have trouble staying in balance.

The least commonly-used type of CP is ataxic, which causes poor coordination and clumsy movement. Hypotonic CP is known as a condition that causes low muscle tone and a ragdoll-like motion of the arms and cerebral palsy legs.

Doctors typically diagnose a child with CP during the first 2 years of their lives, unless it is mild, in which case they could make a diagnosis at the age of four or five. Women should be vaccinated for diseases such as rubella and German Measles prior the time they become pregnant to reduce their risk of developing CP. It is essential to take care of all pregnant mothers to avoid complications such as premature birth and low weight at birth.

Treatment

Cerebral palsy is caused by any cause that hinders brain development, from infections during pregnancy, to complications during labor and delivery to head injuries. Cerebral palsy is more common when babies are born before 32 weeks or having the baby's weight being low at birth. Maternal febrile illness during pregnancy, rubella (German measles) as well as cytomegalovirus and herpes infections may trigger inflammation that can damage the developing nervous system.

The treatment plan for every person with CP is different for each patient. A pediatric specialist, physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor or neurologist will oversee the medical care and develop a treatment plan that addresses specific symptoms and requirements.

The use of medications to lessen the tightness of muscles (such as onabotulinumtoxinA or Botox) could be used to improve performance and reduce discomfort or other symptoms. In severe cases of CP, surgery can extend stiff, cerebral palsy tightly contracted muscles or correct problems such as an abnormally curved spine.

Speech therapists can aid children to develop communication skills and also teach parents how to improve their child's abilities to communicate. Therapy for recreation lets children participate in fun activities that promote social interaction, self-esteem and motor development.

Support

The right support can make huge difference. Families affected by cerebral palsy and their children can find an entire group of people with similar experiences at a local meet or on the internet. Many groups also host fundraisers that raise awareness and funds for the condition.

Teachers can help children with cerebral palsy in the classroom. They can plan ahead of time when students will miss classes because of medical appointments or taking medicine. They can also provide accommodations in the classroom for things like allowing extra time to travel between classes or to take exams.

Adults with CP can seek out advice from an occupational therapist about independence, including housing, getting jobs and benefits. They can also talk with their doctor to determine if their medications are effective and if there's something that could be making the symptoms worse.

The Cerebral Palsy Research and Clinical Center of Michigan maintains an inventory of local specialists in this field. The database is accessible to all residents of Michigan and lets them search by insurance provider.

Legal Issues

Your cerebral palsy lawyer will help you obtain an acceptable settlement from the medical professionals responsible for your child's injuries. The legal procedure is about gathering more evidence to prove the medical facilities and doctors involved in your child's birth injury committed acts of malpractice, causing brain injuries and that led to cerebral palsy.

A legal claim is a means to seek monetary compensation for losses incurred by your family and the cost of future expenses that you anticipate. It's about making adjustments and implementing additional policies to prevent these kinds of injuries from occurring in the future.

Some parents are concerned that filing a medical malpractice lawsuit can make them appear greedy or as if they don't like their child for what they are. The cost of caring for a CP patient can be in the millions.

Find a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you are able to. Each state has a time limit for filing a lawsuit, and the sooner you start your case, the more effective. A lawyer will explain the laws in your region and explain what you should do next.