How to File a Cerebral Palsy Case
Cerebral Palsy is a condition that can last for throughout life and requires medical care. Children with CP typically visit a pediatrician along with a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist. Their doctors will collect a medical history, do a thorough physical exam and conduct tests, such as an MRI or CT scan.
A trusted
cerebral palsy lawyer will assist families in obtaining an equitable amount of compensation for their child's lifetime requirements. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation.
Diagnosis
Cerebral Psy is a condition that impairs the ability to move, balance, and coordinate. It is caused by damage or abnormalities to parts of the brain which regulate the movement of muscles. It typically occurs prior to or
Cerebral palsy shortly after birth.
Doctors can diagnose of
cerebral palsy through analyzing a child's symptoms as well as medical history and physical examination, and observing growth and milestones, as well as reviewing the results of diagnostic tests. They may refer the toddler, infant or child to specialists such as an orthopedist for children, neurologists and physiatrists. Tests of urine, blood and skin can also be requested.
Babies with CP might exhibit delayed developmental milestones, stiff muscles and hyperactive reactions that aren't typical of normal babies. They also might have low Apgar scores, which could suggest oxygen deprivation. The condition can be difficult to diagnose in babies who are still developing, and a diagnosis is usually made by the age of two. The earlier a child is diagnosed, the more effective treatment can be. Many families find it beneficial to find support groups and organizations for their children.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of cerebral paralysis manifest during early childhood and result from damage to the brain region that regulates posture and movement. This damage is not reversible and affects the coordination of muscles and body movements.
Children suffering from dyskinetic cerebral paralysis have chaotic, jerky movements with their hands, feet and arms. They may also have a hard time reaching up, picking up objects and coloring with crayons. They may be drooling or have difficulty staying in balance.
Ataxic CP is the least well-known type, resulting in unorganized and awkward movement. The people with hypotonic CP are prone to muscle weakness and their arms and legs move easily and resemble those of a rug doll.
Doctors usually diagnose CP in the beginning of the child's life, unless it is mild. In that case, they may make a diagnosis at age four or five. To lower the risk of developing CP women should be vaccinations prior to conception against illnesses that can cause brain damage to the fetus such as rubella and German measles. It is also crucial for mothers to have regular prenatal check-ups during the pregnancy to aid in preventing complications such as premature birth and low birth weight.
Treatment
Cerebral palsy can be caused by any cause that hinders brain development, from infections during pregnancy, to complications during labor and birth to head injuries. Babies born before 32 weeks or with a low birth weights are at greater chance of developing cerebral palsy. Inflammation caused by rubella (German measles), herpes, cytomegalovirus and maternal fever during pregnancy can affect the nervous system of the baby.
The treatment plan for every person with CP differs. A pediatric specialist rehabilitation,
cerebral palsy physical medicine doctor or neurologist should supervise the medical treatment and develop the treatment plan that addresses specific symptoms and needs.
Treatments to ease the tightness of muscles (such as onabotulinumtoxinA or Botox) could be used to improve function and ease discomfort or other symptoms. In severe cases of CP surgery can lengthen stiff, tightly contracted muscles, or correct problems like an unnaturally curving spine.
Speech therapists are able to assist children to learn to communicate and also teach parents how to enhance their child's communication. Therapy for recreation involves children in activities that are fun to encourage social interaction, self-esteem and motor skill development.
Support
The appropriate support can make a huge difference. Parents of children with cerebral palsy as well as their children can find a group of people with similar experiences at a local gathering or on the internet. Many groups have fundraisers to raise money and awareness of the condition.
Teachers can aid children with cerebral palsy during school. They can plan for students who cannot attend class due to doctor's appointments or taking medication. They can also make accommodations for students in the classroom like allowing students to travel between classes and complete exams or for doctor visits.
Adults suffering from CP can seek out advice from an occupational therapist about independence, such as housing, finding work and benefits. They can also talk to their doctor about whether their medicines are working and if there's anything which could be making the symptoms worse.
The Cerebral Palsy Research and Clinical Center of Michigan maintains a database of specialists in the local area with this condition. It's available for people living in Michigan and allows users to search for their insurance provider.
Legal Issues
Your cerebral palsy attorney will help you obtain a fair settlement with the medical professionals responsible for your child's injuries. The legal process involves gathering more evidence to prove the medical facilities and doctors involved in the birth injury of your child committed negligence, causing brain injury and which led to cerebral palsy.
A legal claim is a way to get financial compensation for the losses suffered by your family as well as future expenses that are anticipated. It's also about making changes and further policies to prevent such injuries from occurring to other children in the future.
Some parents fear that filing a lawsuit for medical malpractice could cause them to appear greedy or appear to accept the child they have. The cost of caring for a CP patient could be in the millions.
Contact a lawyer for medical malpractice as soon as you can. The sooner you file your case, the more favorable. Each state has its own statute of limitations. A lawyer can help you understand the laws that apply in your specific area, as well as what you need to do following.