Congenital brain abnormalities, genetic mutations, infections, and physical trauma before, during, or soon after birth can all lead to cerebral palsy, a serious neurological disorder that affects the brain. Cerebral palsy affects more children than any other motor disability and can have far-reaching consequences, including issues with balance, walking, eating, and speaking.
There are several types of cerebral palsy, each of which manifests with specific symptoms and issues. Mild forms can affect a person’s ability to grasp objects and care for himself or herself, whereas serious forms can lead to complete incapacitation. Contact a cerebral palsy attorney at (800) 222-9529 to learn about how cerebral palsy is caused, how to diagnose it, when to file a claim, and what evidence is needed to prove claims of negligence.
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Complications and Causes of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that manage and control various voluntary movements such as holding the head up and walking. It can be caused by natural factors such as genetic abnormalities, abnormal brain development during gestation, infections, inflammation, brain bleeds in the baby, and doctor negligence. Doctor negligence is usually classified as a preventable cause of cerebral palsy, and it is one of the factors that may give you grounds for seeking compensation.
Cerebral palsy is usually non-progressive. This means it does not worsen with time. In one sense, that is a good thing, since the patient can expect his or her injuries to not deteriorate as he or she ages. However, the corollary is that it does not heal or improve either and it can render patients disabled in one way or another for their entire lives.
An added consequence of the permanence of cerebral palsy is the fact that some of its symptoms can have compounding effects that do, in fact, worsen with time. For example, some forms of cerebral palsy can lead to serious issues with eating and swallowing. This can make it difficult for the patient to obtain the nutrients needed to grow. He or she may also have difficulty getting around. A lack of movement can lead to a very sedentary lifestyle.
These issues can lead to many serious complications such as low bone density, frequent fractures, and inordinate amounts of time spent in the hospital. These issues can, once again, have a ripple effect on the patient, since social isolation, depression, and emotional issues, especially in young adults, as a result of a difficult life and a lack of viable outlets can have serious repercussions on the family and the individual.
Finally, there are issues of illness co-occurrences and care costs. A number of serious health issues including epilepsy and learning disabilities often co-occur with cerebral palsy. When they do, the costs of care can more than double, and some estimates place the lifetime healthcare costs of patients with cerebral palsy at an alarming $1.5 million.
Our San Antonio cerebral palsy lawyer offers you a sound option for managing and hopefully overcoming many of these challenges. From helping you understand your child’s condition to connecting you to the treatment centers and support groups that can help you, our network of caregivers, medical specialists, and economic experts can help you plan and prepare for your child’s care and long-term treatment.
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Management and Treatment of Cerebral Palsy
As mentioned above, once cerebral palsy develops, it does not heal. Modern management techniques aim at providing the affected individual with as much independence as possible instead of addressing specific physical issues. To do this, a multidisciplinary team usually gets involved. Social workers, educators, and medical specialists from a variety of fields will assess your child and determine the right therapeutic interventions that offer the greatest benefit to your child.
As for medical treatments, depending on how serious your child’s case is, he or she may or may not make measurable progress using non-invasive treatments such as anticonvulsants to help with jerky movements, painkillers, and the use of assistive devices and therapies. All of these are defined as standard treatments for cerebral palsy patients.
In the event that your child suffers serious issues that require further treatment, surgery may be required, at considerable cost. Additional forms of treatment such as communication aids to help with speaking can also be used on an as-needed and as-available basis.
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Why You Need a San Antonio Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
Not filing a malpractice claim if your child’s injuries were caused by doctor negligence is a mistake you should avoid. As mentioned above, the lifetime treatment costs of cerebral palsy can cross $1 million, and there is no reason for you to pay for treatment yourself if doctor negligence or inexperience was involved in your child’s injuries. However, handling a malpractice claim is a time-consuming and somewhat challenging endeavor that may not be for everyone. What can be done, then?
This is where a cerebral palsy attorney can help. By collecting proof of doctor negligence, interviewing medical staff, and filing claims on time and with the right courts on your behalf, we help the families of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy seek compensation for damages at no upfront cost. We do not collect unless you win a case or win a settlement offer from the at-fault parties identified in your claim, and we can connect you with treatment specialists and subject-matter experts based on your care needs.
Also, having a seasoned malpractice attorney handle your case gives you the added benefit of giving you the time you need to focus on your child’s recuperation instead of tending to insurance issues, filing paperwork, attending meetings, and learning about legal and medical terms that you are unfamiliar with.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. At the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, we have the experience and local knowledge you need to navigate the malpractice and medical negligence fields, so call us now at (800) 222-9529 to learn more.
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