Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury

Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage that results in abnormal movement of different parts of the body. This includes the muscles of the face that affect speech. The disorder is permanent, but does not get worse over time.

Usually, children are born with cerebral palsy, but there are cases of CP that result from brain injury in the first few months or years of life. This damage can result from a brain infection, a head injury, an accident, a fall or child abuse.

Problems during labor and delivery which deprive the neonatal brain of oxygen can also cause cerebral palsy. The Flood Law Group represents parents whose infants are born with cerebral palsy following medical mistakes such as failing to identify fetal distress, failing to perform an emergency cesarean, and improper use of equipment.

If you believe your child was harmed by a mistake before, during or shortly after birth that resulted in the development of cerebral palsy, the Flood Law Group may be able to help you. Our attorneys represent families in birth injury claims and advocate aggressively to ensure they recover the maximum amount of compensation possible. To schedule a review of your case, please contact us today.

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Symptoms usually become noticeable by the time a child is 3 years old. These symptoms, due to abnormalities in the brain, can include:

• Problems with muscle coordination when trying to execute voluntary movements (ataxia)
• Stiff or rigid muscles and pronounced reflexes (spasticity)
• Walking with one leg or foot dragging
• Walking on the toes
• A crouched walk
• A scissored gait
• Muscle tone that is either too stiff or too limp

Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

Children with mild cerebral palsy may have only slight symptoms such as awkwardness. These people can go on to live normal lives. Other forms of the disorder may respond to various types of therapies. Although there is no cure for cerebral palsy, the following might help improve a patient's condition:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Medication to control seizures and relax muscle spasms
• Drugs to relive pain
• Surgery to correct physical abnormalities or to release rigid muscles
• Braces and other orthotic devices
• Wheelchairs
• Rolling walkers
• Certain communication devices, such as computerized voice synthesizers

Lifelong Complications

Complications of cerebral palsy depend upon the extent of the disability and also how early the child is treated. The sooner treatment begins in more moderate cases, the better the child can learn to practice certain adaptive techniques.

Physical impairment lasts for the patient's life, although certain aids such as walkers, if necessary, may help with balance and being able to get around. Surgery can also help muscles to relax. Some CP patients will have problems with speech and possibly swallowing. Speech therapists can help patients learn to improve in both of these areas.

Mental retardation affects some patients, depending upon the area of the brain that is damaged. These patients can benefit from special education to improve, although not cure, their condition.

Being excluded from personal as well as professional relationships can make life emotionally painful for these people. Children on the playground or in school can be cruel. It is hard to participate in many regular activities of a growing child and teenager. Emotional support from family and caregivers, psychologists, and social workers is important for cerebral palsy patients.

Independent living may be difficult or impossible for some patients. Home health aides can assist some of these people. Other CP patients might live in a home for patients with disabilities. Jobs are available for disabled persons so that some mildly to moderately impaired CP patients may be able to work and experience productive lives.

Contact a Birth Injury Lawyer

If your baby is born with cerebral palsy, we may be able to help you. Even if you are unsure of the cause, we can evaluate the details of your case to determine whether we believe you have a birth injury claim. To find out if we can help you, please contact our cerebral palsy attorneys today.