7 Things You Never Knew About Cerebral Palsy Case

How to File a Cerebral Palsy Case

Cerebral psy is a condition that will last a lifetime and requires medical care. Children suffering from CP typically visit a pediatrician, as well as a physical rehabilitation and medicine specialist. The doctors will take a medical history, do thorough physical examinations and conduct tests such as an MRI or CT scan.

A reputable lawyer for cerebral palsy can assist families in obtaining fair compensation for their child's entire life needs. Contact us today to arrange an appointment for a no-cost case review.

Diagnosis

Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects the ability to move, balance and coordinate. It is caused by injuries or disorders in the regions of the brain that control muscle movement, and it typically occurs before, during or shortly after birth.

Doctors can determine if a child is suffering of cerebral palsy by looking at the child's symptoms such as medical history, physical examination, observing milestones and growth, and reviewing the results of diagnostic tests. They can refer an infant, toddler, or child to specialists like pediatric orthopedists, neurologists, and physiatrists. Testing of  cerebral palsy law firm dearborn , blood and skin can also be ordered.

Babies born with CP often show delays in developmental milestones and have stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes that aren't present in normal babies. Low Apgar scores can also indicate oxygen deprivation. The condition can be difficult to diagnose in babies who are still developing, and a diagnosis is typically made around 2 years of age. The the earlier a child's condition is diagnosed, the better treatment will be. Many families are able to look for support groups, organizations and counseling services for their children.

Symptoms

The symptoms of cerebral palsy are usually noticed in early childhood, and are caused by damage done to the brain region that controls the movement and posture. This damage is permanent and affects muscle coordination and body movements.

Children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy experience jerky, uncontrolled movements of the feet, hands, and arms. They may also have a hard time reaching for objects, picking them up and coloring with crayons. They may snore or have difficulty keeping their balance, and walk on the tip of their toes.

Ataxic CP is the least popular type, resulting in clumsy and disorganized movement. Hypotonic CP is characterised by a lack of muscle tone and a ragdoll-like motion of the arms and legs.

Doctors usually diagnose a child with CP in the first two years of life, unless it is mild or in which case they might make a diagnosis at the age of four or five. Women must be vaccinated against diseases like rubella and German Measles before they are pregnant to reduce their risk of developing CP. Prenatal care is important for all pregnant mothers to prevent complications like premature birth and an infant who is overweight.

Treatment

Cerebral Palsy can be caused by any cause that affects brain development, including infections in the mother during pregnancy or during labor, complications in the process of birth, or head injuries. Cerebral palsy occurs more frequently for babies born before 32 weeks of age, or with babies who are overweight at birth. Maternal febrile illness during pregnancy rubella (German measles), cytomegalovirus or herpes infections can cause inflammation that harms the developing nervous system.

The treatment plan for every patient with CP differs. A pediatric specialist or physical and rehabilitation physician or neurologist should oversee medical care and create treatment plans that focus on specific symptoms and needs.

Treatments to ease muscle tightness (such as onabotulinumtoxinA or Botox) can be used to improve the function and reduce pain or other signs. In severe cases of CP surgery can extend stiff, tightly contracted muscles or correct issues like an atypically curving spine.

Speech therapists aid children in learning to speak or communicate and teach parents how to improve their child's communication. Therapy for recreation lets children participate in enjoyable activities that foster social interaction, self-esteem and motor skill development.

Support

The right support can make a enormous difference. Families affected by cerebral palsy and their children can find a group of individuals who have the same experiences at a local meet or on the internet. Many groups host fundraisers to raise funds and raise awareness about the condition.

Teachers can support children who have cerebral palsy in school. They can plan ahead when students will miss classes due to doctor visits or medication. They can also make accommodations in the classroom like allowing students to travel between classes and take exams or for doctor visits.

Adults suffering from CP can seek advice from an occupational therapist about independence, including housing, getting a job and benefits. They can also talk with their doctor to determine whether their medications are working, and if anything could cause their symptoms to worsen.

The Cerebral Palsy Research and Clinical Center of Michigan maintains a database of local experts with this condition. The database is available to all residents of Michigan and allows them to search for doctors by insurance provider.

Legal Questions

Your cerebral palsy lawyer can help you negotiate an appropriate settlement with medical professionals accountable for your child's injuries. The legal process involves obtaining more evidence to prove the physicians and medical facilities involved in the birth injury of your child committed acts of negligence that caused brain injuries and that led to cerebral palsy.

A legal claim seeks compensation for the harms your family has endured and the anticipated costs for the future. It's also about making changes and further policies to prevent such injuries from happening to any other children in the coming years.

Some parents are afraid that filing a lawsuit for medical malpractice could make them appear greedy, or make them appear as if they don't accept the child they have. However, the reality is that the cost of caring for a person with CP could be in the millions.

Find a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you are able to. The earlier you file your claim, the better. Each state has its own statute of limitations. A lawyer can explain the laws that apply to your specific area, as well as what you need to do next.