Spastic hemiplegia is a neurological disorder characterised by weakness and stiffness in the muscles on one side of the body. It is often the result of brain damage incurred during the birthing and delivery process.
Managing the symptoms of spastic hemiplegia can put you and your family under enormous financial stress. If your child has spastic hemiplegia due to errors in the birthing process, you can talk to a birth injury lawyer about suing for medical negligence.
Spasitc Hemiplegia Definition
Spastic hemiplegia is a type of cerebral palsy that affects one side of the body. Individuals with the condition show a loss of coordination and muscle stiffness in the body that impacts mobility. Functional impairments typically present on the side of the body opposite from the half of the brain that’s affected.
Approximately 25% of individuals with cerebral palsy have spastic hemiplegia. The term “spastic” refers to the jerking and contracting motions of the body, while “hemi” means it affects one side of the body. Common symptoms of spastic hemiplegia include the following:
- Muscle spasticity and jerking on one side of the body
- Motor development delays in infants and children
- Limited arm and hand use on one side of the body
- Weakness and loss of dexterity/coordination in the limbs
The severity of symptoms can range from mild to severe. Although the underlying brain damage is typically permanent, treatment and surgery can help improve functioning and reduce mobility issues.
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Causes of Spastic Hemiplegia
Spastic hemiplegia is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain, which causes neurological damage. Common causes include those listed below:
- Prolonged labor. Prolonged labor can cut off oxygen to the infant’s brain, resulting in damage to one of the lobes.
- Traumatic delivery. Physical trauma during the delivery process can damage nerves and brain tissue.
- Infection. Various infections, such as rubella or toxoplasmosis, can cause neonatal brain damage in the womb.
- Neonatal strokes. Structural and vascular issues can cause strokes in newborns, leading to brain damage.
- Unsafe medication. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing muscle spasms and weakness.
- Failure to monitor. Many cases of spastic hemiplegia are the result of insufficient monitoring of newborns.
Treatments for Spastic Hemiplegia
There is currently no known cure for spastic hemiplegia, but there are treatments that can reduce symptom severity and improve functioning:
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Medication (e.g., muscle relaxants)
- Surgery to correct muscle deformities
- Medical devices (braces, orthotics, etc.)
- Cognitive rehabilitation (e.g., speech and language therapy)
With appropriate treatment, individuals with spastic hemiplegia can enjoy a higher quality of life and manage their disabilities.
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Spastic Hemiplegia and Medical Negligence
In many cases, spastic hemiplegia is the result of medical negligence during childbirth or post-natal monitoring. For instance, medical professionals might make errors that prolong labor, leading to permanent brain damage. Similarly, incorrect birthing techniques (pulling or pushing too hard) can damage the infant’s nervous system.
Other examples of medical negligence associated with spastic hemiplegia include the following:
- Delayed C-section
- Improper use of delivery tools (e.g., forceps or vacuum delivery)
- Failure to treat maternal or neonatal infections
- Missed diagnosis (e.g., stroke or heart attack)
- Anesthesia errors
- Failing to monitor an infant’s vital signs
If your child’s spastic hemiplegia was the result of medical negligence, you can potentially sue the medical professional or facility. Through a birth injury lawsuit, you can recover financial compensation for injury-related losses:
- Current and future medical treatment
- Necessary physical and occupational therapy
- The cost of long-term in-home care
- Reduced earning capacity of the child due to disability
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Lower quality-of-life
- Loss of capacity to enjoy hobbies or activities
"Our Birth Injury Lawyers have recovered over $750+ Million on behalf of our clients."
Proving Medical Negligence in Spastic Hemiplegia Cases
The central difficulty of a birth injury lawsuit is proving that the medical professional was negligent and violated accepted standards of medical care. To prove medical negligence, you must show that the offender committed actions or omissions that a reasonable professional wouldn’t have made.
As such, expert testimony is a powerful type of evidence in birthing injury cases. Testimony from a medical professional in a similar field can attest to whether the provider in question breached accepted standards of care.
Contact a Birth Injury Lawyer Today
Spastic hemiplegia can impact the entirety of your child’s life, affecting their development and future employment prospects. As a nationally recognized firm, Birth Injury Lawyers Group can help you file a lawsuit against the negligent entities responsible for your child’s harm.
We have recovered over $750 million for birth injury victims and have secured record-setting verdicts and settlements across the U.S. You can count on us to fight for justice and the financial stability you and your child need to flourish.
Do you have any more questions about spastic hemiplegia and medical negligence? If so, contact a birth injury lawyer today to discuss your options for financial compensation.
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