Cerebral Palsy Attorneys
Cerebral palsy is a general term used to describe a group of chronic neurological disorders that impair muscle control. It is usually caused by faulty development or damage in the areas of the brain that control motor skills.
The injuries to the brain are usually sustained before, during or shortly after birth – sometimes as a result of medical malpractice. Specifically, cerebral palsy can be caused by physical trauma during birth, hypoxia or more.
If your child has cerebral palsy and you feel it may have resulted from medical malpractice, you need not suffer in vain. Please contact the Brain Injury Law Center to speak with a caring and qualified medical malpractice attorney who can help you understand your legal rights.You and your family may be entitled to compensation for your losses and suffering, including medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
Medical Mistakes Leading To Cerebral Palsy
Possible medical mistakes that could lead to cerebral palsy include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Failing to detect or correct conditions affecting oxygen supply to the baby
- Failing to perform a timely C-section when conditions demand it
- Failing to diagnose and treat infections in the mother
- Failing to recognize or treat a child’s seizures
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
Early signs of cerebral palsy typically appear before age 3. Symptoms may change over time, but cerebral palsy does not worsen. Some of the common signs of cerebral palsy include:
- Impaired balance
- Poor muscle control
- Problems with coordination
- Poor reflexes
- Poor posture
- Trouble eating or swallowing
- Poor facial muscle tone
- Speech impairment
- Sensory impairment
- Seizures
- Learning disabilities
Treatment Options
If your child has cerebral palsy, you may wish to work with a team of healthcare professionals who are trained to develop a specialized treatment plan that will help your child to reach his/her maximum potential.
While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, there are various treatment options that can help alleviate some of the symptoms. Since cerebral palsy is non-reversible, all treatments are focused on improving quality of life.
Cerebral palsy treatments and therapies include but are not limited to the following:
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps to enhance muscle strength, to improve motor skills like walking, and to prevent contractures, which occur when joint movement is affected by the shortening of muscles. Braces and casts are also commonly used alongside physical therapy to achieve optimal results.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy involves the use of trained specialists who can work with your child to help him/her develop the skills necessary for day-to-day living. For example, a speech therapist works with children who suffer from speech impairment to improve their communication skills. In some severe cases, children with cerebral palsy can learn to use technologies like computerized voice synthesizers to help them communicate.
Drug Therapy
Drug therapy, including oral medications, are commonly prescribed by doctors to help reduce muscle spasticity and ease abnormal movements in children with cerebral palsy. Unfortunately, oral medications are not always effective in treating cerebral palsy symptoms. However, Botox injections have become one of the most common forms of drug therapy for both children and adults with the condition. Botox injections are made directly into tight muscles to ease spasticity and have been proven to increase the effectiveness of physical therapy.
Surgery
Surgery is one cerebral palsy treatment option that could help treat more severe symptoms of the condition. Surgery may work to lengthen seriously contracted muscles that limit joint movement. Children who suffer severe spasticity in both legs can undergo a selective dorsal rhizotomy, which permanently relieves tight muscles and improves walking, sitting, and standing.
Mechanical Devices
Mechanical devices such as walkers, specialized wheelchairs, positioning devices, and customized tricycles and scooters are mechanical aids that are specially designed to help children with cerebral palsy improve the quality of their lives. New and improved technologies continue to be developed everyday to allow those who suffer the effects of cerebral palsy reach their greatest potential.
Speak to a Medical Malpractice Attorney
Please contact the Brain Injury Law Center today for a free consultation with one of our experienced and compassionate medical malpractice attorneys who can help understand your legal options.
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