10 Cerebral Palsy Case-Related Projects To Stretch Your Creativity

How to File a Cerebral Palsy Case

Cerebral psy is a condition that lasts throughout life and requires medical care. Children suffering from CP are typically seen by a pediatrician as also a physical therapy specialist. Their doctors will conduct a thorough physical examination and take a thorough medical history, and conduct tests such as MRI or CT scans.

A cerebral palsy lawyer can assist families in obtaining an equitable amount of compensation for the lifelong needs of their child. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a no-cost case review.

Diagnosis

Cerebral palsy is a permanent condition that affects movement, posture, balance and coordination. It results from injuries or disorders in the regions of the brain that regulate muscle movement. It usually occurs before or shortly after birth.

Doctors can determine if a child is suffering of cerebral palsy by evaluating a child's symptoms, medical history and physical examination, and observing growth and milestones, and taking a look at the results of diagnostic tests. They may refer the toddler, infant or child to specialists such as a pediatric orthopedist, neurologists and physiatrists. Blood tests, urine tests and skin can also be requested.

Babies born with CP often show delays in developmental milestones. They also have stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes that aren't present in normal babies. Low Apgar scores may also be a sign of oxygen deprivation. The condition may be difficult to diagnose in infants who are still developing and a final diagnosis is usually made at the age of two. The sooner a child's illness is diagnosed, the better treatment will be. Many families find it beneficial to find support groups as well as organizations for their children.

Symptoms

The symptoms of cerebral palsy manifest in the beginning of childhood and are caused by damage to the brain region that regulates posture and movement. This damage is not reverseable and affects the body's movements and muscle coordination.

Children with dyskinetic cerebral paralysis experience uncontrolled, jerky movements of the feet, hands and arms. They may also have difficulty reaching, picking up objects and coloring with crayons. They might snore or have trouble keeping their balance.

The least commonly-used kind of CP is ataxic, which results in poor coordination and clumsy movement. Hypotonic CP is defined by muscle tone that is low and a rag-doll like movement of the legs and arms.

Doctors usually diagnose a child with CP in the first two years of life, unless the condition is not severe, in which case they might make a diagnosis by age four or five. To lower the risk of developing CP women should be immunized prior to pregnancy against diseases that may cause brain damage to the fetus including rubella and German measles.  cerebral palsy attorney new orleans  is also essential for mothers to receive regular prenatal check-ups during the pregnancy to help prevent complications like premature birth and low birth weight.

Treatment

Cerebral palsy can be caused by anything that affects brain development, ranging from maternal infections during pregnancy to complications during labor and birth to head injuries. Cerebral Palsy is more frequent in babies born prior to 32 weeks or with low weight at birth. Inflammation caused by rubella (German measles), herpes, cytomegalovirus and the maternal fever during pregnancy could damage the developing nervous system.

The treatment plan for each person with CP is different for each patient. A pediatric specialist, physical and rehabilitation doctor or neurologist will oversee medical care and create treatment plans that take care of specific symptoms and needs.

Medications to reduce muscle tightness (such as onabotulinumtoxinA and Botox) may be used to improve functionality and ease pain or other signs. In extreme cases of CP, surgery can extend stiff, tightly contracted muscles or correct a problem such as an abnormally curved spine.

Speech therapists can aid children to develop communication skills and teach parents how to improve their child's communication abilities. Therapy for recreation lets children participate in fun activities that promote social interaction, self-esteem and motor development.

Support

The appropriate support can make a significant difference. Parents and children with cerebral palsy are able to find an entire community of families who can share their experiences at meetings in their local area or through an online group. Many groups organize fundraising events to raise money and raise awareness for the condition.

Educators can help kids with cerebral palsy at school. They can plan ahead of time when students will miss classes because of medical appointments or to take medication. They can also create arrangements in the classroom, such as extra time for students to travel between classes and take exams or attend doctor visits.

Adults who suffer from CP can get advice from an occupational therapist regarding their independence, including the need for housing, obtaining jobs and benefits. They can also talk to their doctor to find out if their medications are working, and if anything could be making their symptoms worse.

The Cerebral Palsy Research and Clinical Center of Michigan has an inventory of local doctors who specialize in this condition. It is accessible to those living in Michigan and allows users to search for their insurance company.

Legal Questions

Your cerebral palsy attorney will help you obtain an equitable settlement with the medical professionals responsible for your child's injuries. The legal process requires gathering more evidence to prove that the medical professionals and facilities responsible for your child's birth injury have committed errors that caused brain damage and cerebral palsy.

Legal claims seek monetary compensation for the losses your family has suffered and expected future costs. It's about making changes and implementing additional policies to prevent these types of injuries from happening in the future.

Some parents are afraid that bringing a lawsuit for medical malpractice could make them appear greedy, or as if they don't accept the child they have. However, the reality is that the cost of caring for someone with CP can be in the thousands.

Consult a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. The earlier you file your case the better. Each state has its own statute of limitations. A lawyer can provide you with the laws in your specific area, as well as what you need to do next.