Cerebral palsy is a common childhood disability that affects over 18 million people worldwide and over 800,000 people in the United States. A child is born with cerebral palsy every hour and it is a lifelong condition that has no known cure. It is not one illness but a range of motor control issues that include an inability to control the head, poor posture, weakness, and an inability to sit, walk, or crawl. It can also cause seizures, problems with vision and hearing, and malnutrition over the long run.
Was your child diagnosed with cerebral palsy? Contact a Fort Lauderdale cerebral palsy lawyer today by calling the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Brain damage, regardless of the cause, is usually permanent. This means cerebral palsy that is related to a birth injury is a permanent condition, and the affected individual will likely require long-term therapy, rehabilitative care, and maybe even surgery, all at significant cost.
For a free legal consultation with Fort Lauderdale Cerebral Palsy lawyer, call 1-800-222-9529
The Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term given to the health issues that arise from damage or the abnormal development of the cerebral cortex, which is the part of the brain that controls movement. It is comprised of both white and gray matter, but the gray matter lies toward the outer edges of the brain. Injuries to this part of the cerebral cortex can occur at any age and in a variety of settings but it is often the result of birth injuries that affect the gray matter, thus hampering the individual’s ability to move in certain ways.
Cerebral palsy can be identified by a number of symptoms and is different from person to person and from child to child. Mild cases may exhibit symptoms such as awkward movements. Severe cases may lead to an inability to walk, talk, or get around independently. Parents and caregivers must recognize the early warning signs of cerebral palsy, since doing so is critical to arriving at the correct diagnosis for the patient and for initiating treatment.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy include:
- Missing normal growth and development milestones, such as sitting, crawling, and walking
- Stiff or spastic muscles
- Abnormal movements or excessive shaking
- Difficulty controlling or coordinating muscle movement
- Speech problems
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty swallowing, eating, and drinking
Once cerebral palsy develops, it is usually irreversible. Although it is described as a non-progressive disorder in the sense that the effects of the illness usually do not advance with time, the affected individual may still exhibit different health issues based on life changes that his or her symptoms can cause.
For example, cerebral cortex damage and cerebral palsy can lead to mental disabilities, problems with hearing or vision, problems with communication, difficulty walking, seizures, and an inability to swallow. Taken together, these issues can lead to weakness, which is a result of inactivity, as well as low bone density and frequent fractures, which are the result of malnutrition. The patient may even face significant social and emotional trauma as a result of their injuries.
If you believe your child suffered a birth injury and developed cerebral palsy as a result, and you want to hold the negligent party or parties accountable, contact a Fort Lauderdale cerebral palsy lawyer to explore your legal options. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529 for a free case evaluation.
Fort Lauderdale Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Near Me 1-800-222-9529
The Causes of Cerebral Palsy
As for the causes of cerebral palsy, here are some of the most common:
Inadequate Oxygen Supply
Any cell that does not receive an adequate supply of oxygen will eventually die, but the cells of the brain can become irreparably damaged if they are starved of oxygen even for a few minutes. Low maternal blood pressure, a ruptured uterus, detachment of the placenta, and problems with the umbilical cord can restrict the amount of oxygen that reaches the child’s brain, leading either to cell death or deformities in the physical makeup of the cells of the brain.
Stroke or Brain Bleeding
A fetus can have a stroke in the womb, leading to a wide range of issues, including but not limited to brain bleeding, blocked blood vessels, the death of brain cells, and abnormal development of parts of the brain.
Physical Damage
The brain’s gray matter is responsible for sending signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Damage to it can cause cerebral palsy, cell death, and disruption in how the signals that control movement are transmitted in the brain and throughout the body. It can occur if an inordinate amount of pressure is applied to the brain of an infant, either because it is too large to pass through the birth canal or the delivery team uses excessive force to extract a baby stuck inside the birth canal.
Abnormal Brain Development
Several issues that affect the normal growth of the brain can lead to abnormalities in the physical makeup of the brain. These factors can negatively affect how the brain sends and receives signals. Abnormal brain development can be caused by physical trauma as outlined above, as well as infections, fever, and genetic mutations.
Negligence
A common cause of brain damage leading to cerebral palsy is medical malpractice or negligence, and they can occur in several ways. From the incorrect use of birthing devices, a misdiagnosis of the mother, administering too much or too little of certain medications, or a failure to conduct tests that would have identified potential delivery issues that could then have been addressed can all be classified as avoidable issues, and if they lead to cerebral cortex damage, you could sue for these unfair damages.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale cerebral palsy lawyer today to discuss the details of your unique case.
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The Importance of a Fort Lauderdale Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
If your child suffered a birth injury or was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you must find out if his or her condition was caused or aggravated by medical negligence, administrative mistakes at the hospital, misdiagnosis, worker inexperience, or diagnostic errors. If they were, you may be entitled to compensation for damages, including pain and suffering, lost income from work, and the costs of medical care, including the costs of tests, therapy, surgery, assistive devices, and medication.
Filing for damages involves determining whether or not you have grounds for a claim, obtaining an expert review of your case, determining who, if anyone, was responsible for your child’s cerebral palsy, quantifying the damages you suffered, and collecting the evidence needed to build a case.
There is a statute of limitation for medical malpractice cases, so you must file a claim as soon as you can to ensure you do not miss your filing window. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529 to learn more about your rights and how to initiate a claim for the damages you may be legally entitled to receive. The initial consultation is free and there is no obligation.
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