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How to File a Cerebral Palsy Case
Cerebral Palsy is a permanent condition that requires medical attention. Children suffering from CP are often seen by a pediatrician as along with a physical medicine specialist. Their doctors will conduct a thorough physical exam and will take a complete medical history and perform tests like MRI or CT scans.
A cerebral palsy attorney can assist families to obtain fair compensation for the lifetime needs of their child. Contact us today to arrange an appointment for a no-cost case review.
Diagnosis
Cerebral Palsy is a condition that affects the ability to move, balance and coordinate. It results from injuries or disorders in the regions of the brain that regulate muscles, and it typically manifests before or shortly after birth.
Doctors can diagnose cerebral palsy based on the child's symptoms, medical history, physical exam, milestones, growth, and results of diagnostic tests. They may refer an infant, toddler, or child to specialists such as pediatric orthopedists, neurologists and physiatrists. The skin, urine, and blood tests are also possible to order.
Babies born with CP often show delays in developmental milestones and have stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes that aren't present in normal infants. Low Apgar scores could also indicate oxygen deprivation. It isn't easy to recognize the condition in infants that are still developing. A final diagnosis is usually made around age two. The earlier a child's condition is diagnosed, the better the treatment will be. Many families find it helpful to look for support groups as well as organizations for their children.
Signs and symptoms
The signs of cerebral palsy usually manifest in early childhood, and are caused by damage done to the part of brain that controls the body's posture and movements. The damage is irreparable, and it affects body movements and muscle coordination.
Children suffering from dyskinetic cerebral palsy have uncontrolled, jerky movements of their hands, feet, and arms. They may also have difficulty reaching out, picking up objects and coloring with crayons. They might snore or have difficulty maintaining their balance.
Ataxic CP is the least common type, which results in unorganized and awkward movement. Hypotonic CP is known as a condition that causes low muscle tone and a rag-doll-like movement of the legs and arms.
Doctors usually diagnose CP within the first two years of a child's existence, unless there is a mild. In that case, they may be able to diagnose it at four or five. To decrease the chance of developing CP women should be vaccinations prior to conception against diseases that can cause brain damage in a fetus, including rubella and German measles. It is essential to take care of all mothers during pregnancy to prevent complications such as premature birth and the birth weight being too low.
Treatment
Cerebral palsy can be caused by any cause that hinders brain development, from infections during pregnancy to complications during labor and delivery to head injuries. Baby born before 32 weeks or with low birth weight are more at risk chance of developing cerebral palsy. Inflammation caused by rubella (German Measles) and herpes, cytomegalovirus and maternal fever during pregnancy can cause damage to the nervous system that is developing.
The treatment plan for every individual with CP is different for each patient. A pediatric specialist or physical and rehabilitation physician or neurologist should supervise medical care and formulate treatment plans that take care of specific symptoms and needs.
Medicines to reduce muscle tightness (such as onabotulinumtoxinA or Botox) could be used to improve function and ease discomfort or other symptoms. Surgery can be used to lengthen muscles that are stiff and tightly contracted or to correct spinal issues like an unusually bent back, especially in severe cases of CP.
Speech therapists aid children in learning to communicate or speak and teach parents how to enhance their child's communication skills. Recreational therapy helps children participate in activities that stimulate social interaction, self-esteem and motor skill development.
Support
The proper support can make a enormous difference. Parents and children who suffer from cerebral palsy are able to find an entire community of families who can share their experiences via an event in the local area or an online group. Many groups hold fundraisers to raise money and awareness of the condition.
Teachers can assist children with cerebral palsy in the classroom. They can plan ahead of time when students will be absent because of medical appointments or taking medicine. They can also provide accommodations in the classroom for things like providing extra time between classes or for taking tests.
Adults suffering from CP might seek advice from an occupational therapist on the issues of independence, like housing as well as finding a job and claiming benefits. They can also talk with their doctor to find out if their medications are effective and if there's something that could be causing the symptoms worse.
The Cerebral Palsy Research and Clinical Center of Michigan has a database of local doctors who specialize in this condition. The database is available to all residents of Michigan and allows them to search for doctors by insurance provider.
Legal Issues
Your cerebral palsy lawyer can help you obtain an appropriate settlement from the medical professionals responsible for your child's injuries. The legal process involves obtaining more evidence to prove that the medical professionals and facilities involved in your child's birth injury committed acts of negligence that caused brain injuries and that led to cerebral palsy.
A legal claim can be a means to seek monetary compensation for the losses suffered by your family and future expenses that are expected. It's about making adjustments and adopting additional policies to prevent these types of injuries from occurring in the future.
Some parents are concerned that filing a medical malpractice lawsuit makes them look greedy or that they don't appreciate their child for what they are. cerebral palsy law firm billings of caring for a CP patient can run into the millions.
Contact a lawyer for medical malpractice as soon as you are able to. Each state has a statute of limitations and the earlier you begin your case, the more effective. A lawyer will explain the laws applicable to your region and explain what you need to do next.