Cerebral Palsy

It is estimated that almost 765,000 people in the United States currently live with cerebral palsy. This disorder affects a person’s muscle control, movement, coordination, and motor skills. In fact, something as simple as standing still can be very difficult for a person with cerebral palsy.

There are four different types of cerebral palsy, including:

  • Spastic: This is the most common type of cerebral palsy. It is caused by damage to the motor cortex area of the brain, and affects the child’s movement. If your child has spastic cerebral palsy, his movements may be very stiff and rigid.
  • Athetoid: Damage to the basal ganglia results in athetoid cerebral palsy, which affects a child’s coordination skills.
  • Ataxic: Ataxic cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the cerebellum, and will also result in impaired balance and coordination skills.
  • Mixed: If a child has suffered damage to multiple parts of the brain, or if his movements, balance, and coordination are all affected, he may be diagnosed with mixed cerebral palsy.

Although cerebral palsy can be caused by a number of factors, it is often the result of a mistake during labor and delivery.

Cerebral Palsy Caused by Birth Injuries

Cerebral palsy can be caused before or after a child’s birth, but unfortunately, this disorder is often a result of a medical professional’s careless mistake during the delivery. This disorder can occur if a baby is deprived of oxygen for a long period of time during delivery, or if the doctor forcefully removes the baby. It is also common for cerebral palsy to occur when the labor lasts more than 18 hours, which is more likely to occur in multiple births.

If you believe your baby has cerebral palsy because of a doctor’s negligence, you will need an attorney to help you gather evidence and present a strong case against the at-fault medical professional. Birth injury cases can be complex and very difficult to prove—that is, if you don’t have the help of an experienced lawyer.

Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

Unfortunately for birth injury victims, there is no treatment to cure cerebral palsy. This is a lifelong disorder that the victim will always have to live with, however, there are ways to help the victim improve his quality of life.

A team of speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and pediatricians may be needed to help manage your child’s symptoms. These therapists can help your child’s speech, coordination, and emotional development. The goal of treatment is to improve your child’s motor skills and coordination and ensure he is as self-sufficient as possible.

Medication and surgery may also be needed to correct issues with your child’s muscles. For example, kids with extreme muscle pain may be give medication to treat this issue. Other children who develop scoliosis as a result of cerebral palsy may need to have this surgically repaired. Doctors may recommend that your child wear a brace to help him get around if his movements are affected by the disorder.

Because treatment involves the work of so many specialists, medical bills can quickly pile up. If the cerebral palsy was caused by a medical professional’s mistake during labor and delivery, you may be able to recover damages to help you pay these expenses and more.

Help for Birth Injury Victims

A cerebral palsy diagnosis will drastically change the rest of your child’s life. If your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a result of a birth injury, you could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. Speak to the team of attorneys at Trial Lawyers for Justice to learn more about your legal options.

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