Cerebral Palsy Lawyers
A New York CP lawyer can help you get compensation to cover the medical costs of your child. Find a firm that has a large staff and has been operating for years.
Lawyers for those suffering from cerebral palsy file an action in the name of their client. They collect evidence, like medical records and testimony from experts, to build an effective claim.
Diagnosis
The specific symptoms of cerebral palsy can vary but a lot of parents notice that their child is not achieving developmental milestones such as walking, talking or crawling at about six months old. They may also be having trouble controlling their bladders and bowels. Cerebral palsy could affect one side of the body. It is known as hemiplegia. It can also affect both sides of the body or all four limbs, called quadriplegia.
The signs include a lack muscle tone, irregular reflexes or uncoordinated movements. They are caused by brain damage that alters the normal flow of nerve impulses between the muscles and brain, which causes floppy or stiff muscles.
Doctors will evaluate your child's movements and tone to determine if they have CP. They will check for things such as whether they feel their legs are crossed or if their arms feel too stiff or tight. They'll also perform various medical tests to determine whether the issue is caused by cerebral palsy, or another condition such as metabolic testing and genetic testing. They will also perform an electroencephalogram (EEG).
Treatment
Although there isn't a cure for cerebral palsy, treatment options allow people to live the most fulfilling possible lives. Treatments help improve movement, reduce seizures and treat other issues that are associated with the disorder. For instance, spasticity can be treated using medications that relax stiff muscles, or using injections of botulinum type A into the muscles affected. Orthotics are used to correct musculoskeletal issues like joint deformities or the lengthening of muscles.
People with cerebral palsy may have other medical conditions such as breathing problems or a lack of food due to difficulty swallowing. Some require a feeding tube to receive nutrition. Some people struggle to communicate and some may display an array of behavioral issues.
Cerebral palsy develops from an interruption in the flow of oxygen into the brain. Babies born after a difficult labor or birthing complications that limit the flow of oxygen are at greater chance of developing this disease. Infections such as rubella herpes simplex, or cytomegalovirus, during pregnancy or during birth can cause inflammation and cause harm to the developing brain. The same can be said for fetal stroke, which can be caused by blood vessel problems stop the brain from receiving enough oxygen.
Legal Representation
Parents of children who have CP are faced with expensive medical bills, therapy costs and other ongoing expenses. A competent lawyer can help you seek fair compensation for these and other costs.
Choose a firm that has nationwide experience in birth injury cases and a track record of winning cases against medical facilities, negligent doctors, and corporate insurance companies. When choosing a firm, you should also consider the size of the team, the length of time they've been in operation and their track record of winning cases.
Lawyers who specialize in cerebral paralysis can help you file a claim to recover damages, including the future and past medical expenses including pain and suffering as well as lost future earning potential. The claims must be filed within the time limit, called the statute of limitations, which is different for each state.
Most cerebral palsy lawyers operate on a contingency basis which means that they do not charge their clients upfront fees. Families are now able to have the right to seek justice without having worry about financial hardships. A contingency fee arrangement guarantees that you attorney will not be compensated unless they obtain an acceptable settlement or verdict for you.
Settlements
A CP attorney can help you determine whether or not your child's injuries were a result of medical negligence. This will require proving that the at-fault medical professional or entity had a duty to provide reasonable care, but violated this duty, and directly caused your child's CP. You will then need to prove damages like medical expenses, lost income, pain and discomfort.
After filing a lawsuit, your CP lawyer will gather evidence like written documents, expert testimonies, and witness statements to create a solid case. To avoid a trial,
Cerebral Palsy attorney the defendant may offer an offer of settlement. Your attorney will negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
Selecting a seasoned
cerebral palsy lawsuits palsy lawyer will dramatically speed up the process of filing a lawsuit and increase your chances of getting financial compensation. Look for a firm that has experience in medical malpractice cases and has a track record of securing significant verdicts for
Cerebral Palsy Attorney clients. Ask prospective attorneys for evidence of their expertise, and how many clients that they have represented. Take into consideration the size of the team as well as how long the firm has been in operation.
Trials
Cerebral Palsy lawyers manage all legalities involved in the medical malpractice lawsuit to assist families in obtaining compensation for the physical and emotional damages their child has suffered. This can include the expense of therapies that could give children a better quality life and help them reach their full potential.
If a settlement is reached, cerebral palsy attorneys will negotiate with insurance companies and other liable parties to get a payout. This could involve written documentation, witness interviews, expert testimonies and more. A third-party mediator is often called in to assist. If the lawyer has a strong case, he is likely to convince the defendant to negotiate a settlement. This is the ideal outcome because it avoids the long-winded trial that can take many years.
The right New York City lawyer can assist in holding doctors, nurses and hospitals, as well as other healthcare providers accountable for mistakes made during difficult births. If the mistakes of the doctor led your child to suffer a unavoidable injury to their
cerebral Palsy attorney palsy the doctor is liable for their carelessness.