Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy

cerebral palsyA type of palsy where at least one area of the brain is injured, cerebral palsy is commonly diagnosed in infants or small children after a birth injury. It affects body movement, muscle coordination, and often results in developmental disabilities where children have difficulty walking, talking, and eating. Estimates indicate that approximately 10,000 babies, many born prematurely or under weight, develop cerebral palsy each year.*

While it is possible for cerebral palsy to develop as a natural complication during pregnancy, many cases are the result of a healthcare provider’s negligence. Cerebral palsy may be the result of any of the following medical situations—

Symptoms of cerebral palsy

  • Oxygen deprivation (cerebral hypoxia)
  • Side effects from wrongly prescribed painkillers
  • Head trauma
  • Delayed delivery
  • Stroke
  • Bleeding in the brain
  • Excessive or improper use of a vacuum extractor or forceps
  • Failure to recognize fetal distress and perform a C-section
  • Failure to recognize pregnancy-related high blood pressure
  • Failure to diagnose and treat infant seizures
  • Failure to diagnose and treat jaundice
  • Failure to diagnose and treat meningitis
  • Failure to diagnose and treat viral encephalitis
  • Failure to diagnose and treat infections
  • Failure to appropriately handle a bad birth position
  • Failure to appropriately treat respiratory distress

 

Some of the symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy, dyskinetic or athetoid cerebral palsy, and ataxic cerebral palsy are—

  • Lack of muscle control and movement
  • Spasms
  • Poor coordination
  • Stiff or tight muscles
  • Exaggerated reflexes
  • Learning disorders
  • Seizures
  • Visual and hearing problems
  • Slow to roll over, crawl, smile, or talk
  • Walking on toes
  • Dragging one leg when walking
  • Crouched gaits
  • Decreased muscle tone
  • Abnormal posture

What to do if your child has cerebral palsy

Like other birth injuries, seeking proper medical care for your child is the first and most important step to take. Treatment and therapy at a young age greatly reduce cerebral palsy’s negative impact. Common treatment options for cerebral palsy include—

  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Speech therapy
  • Wheelchairs and rolling walkers
  • Communication aids
  • Drugs to control seizures, relax muscle spasms, and alleviate pain
  • Surgery to correct abnormalities and release tight muscles

Next, you should seek a consultation with an experienced birth injury attorney.  The Clore Law Group’s attorneys work with trained medical professionals to handle complex cerebral palsy litigation. They provide high quality care to ensure you receive an appropriate settlement to cover the high cost of long-term care, emotional pain and suffering, and past medical bills.

Cerebral Palsy Legal Assistance

The Clore Law Group LLC provides exceptional legal representation from a team of experienced lawyers and medical professionals. Contact their law office for a free initial consultation to discuss whether your child’s birth injury is valid grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. We frequently assist clients in a variety of birth injury claims, including cerebral palsy.