WHAT IS CEREBRAL PALSY?

Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood disability, affecting approximately 1 in 323 children. It is a lifelong, incurable condition that may necessitate extensive medical care throughout the individual’s life.

This care can include physical therapy, speech therapy, special education, surgery, and other medical treatments, as well as personal assistance.

Cerebral palsy typically occurs due to medical errors or negligence during birth. Common causes include:

• A lack of oxygen flowing to the brain
• Trauma to the head before, during, or shortly after birth

Such injuries can happen if the delivering doctor fails to order a cesarean section (C-section) if the baby is too large for a safe delivery, or if a medical professional uses forceps improperly or doesn’t adequately monitor the baby’s fetal heart rate. Even an untreated serious case of jaundice can result in brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy.

TYPES OF CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral palsy manifests differently depending on the specific brain injury. The condition can be classified into several types:

• Spastic cerebral palsy: Characterized by muscle performance and control issues, leading to erratic, jerky movements and difficulty relaxing muscles. This variant affects 75% to 85% of those with cerebral palsy.
• Athetoid cerebral palsy: Also known as dyskinetic cerebral palsy, this form results from damage to the brain area responsible for reflexes and involuntary movement. Individuals with this variant struggle with walking, picking up objects, and muscle tone fluctuations.
• Ataxic cerebral palsy: Caused by damage to the cerebellum, it affects balance and coordination, leading to reduced muscle tone, speech problems, shakiness, and tremors.
• Mixed cerebral palsy: Involves multiple brain injuries, resulting in severe impairment.

SYMPTOMS OF CEREBRAL PALSY

Because cerebral palsy is not immediately noticeable at birth, it is crucial to monitor developmental milestones, especially if you (or the birth mother) experienced complications during labor or delivery. Indicators of cerebral palsy include:

• Delayed developmental milestones, including rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking
• Problems with muscle tone, either too tight or too loose
• Problems with balance and coordination, including poor hand-eye coordination
• Limited range of motion
• Spasms, seizures, tremors, or other involuntary movements
• Challenges with fine motor skills like picking up or holding objects
• Problems walking or walking with an abnormal gait
• Impaired or slow reflexes
• Difficulties with speech, vision, or hearing
• Difficulty with swallowing or eating food
• Excessive drooling
• Bladder or bowel control issues

If you observe any of these symptoms in your child and suspect a birth injury, consult a medical professional and one of the best cerebral palsy lawyers specializing in cerebral palsy litigation.

MAKING A CLAIM WITH A TOP-RATED CEREBRAL PALSY LAWYER IN THE USA

A child with cerebral palsy will likely require specialized care throughout life, including medical devices, therapy, and special education. Higher education and employment opportunities may also be limited.

When filing a cerebral palsy claim, you can seek economic damages for medical expenses (past and future), lost earnings, and caregiving costs. Additionally, you may claim non-economic damages for disability, loss of normal life, pain and suffering, and reduced life expectancy.

Liability in cerebral palsy cases depends on the circumstances that caused the injury. The delivering doctor, nurses, and even the hospital may be held liable for brain injuries resulting in cerebral palsy.