Cerebral Palsy

Understanding Cerebral Palsy: Information for Parents.

One of the most devastating outcomes of childbirth is a birth injury, such as cerebral palsy (CP) or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). These two conditions can cause lifelong physical and cognitive impairments in children.

Unfortunately, medical errors and negligence during childbirth often cause these devastating conditions.

If your child has been diagnosed with CP or HIE, it is essential to contact an attorney for birth injury. It is important to understand the common causes of these conditions. Seeking the help of a CP lawyer can help you pursue compensation to pay for a lifetime of care for your child.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 10,000 children are born in the United States each year with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy can be caused by birth trauma when a baby is deprived of oxygen and blood flow during delivery.

If your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), call The Yost Legal Group for help. One of our experienced birth injury attorneys will speak with you for free and guide you through the process of filing a birth injury claim on behalf of your child.

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What causes Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy can be caused by brain damage that occurs when a baby is deprived of oxygen during birth. This deprivation of oxygen can occur before, during, or after delivery. This can cause multiple types of cerebral palsy with varying levels of severity.

Some common symptoms of CP include:

muscle spasticity and tremors
problems sucking, swallowing, and eating
delays achieving developmental milestones such as sitting, crawling, walking, and speaking

Cerebral Palsy and other types of brain injuries, including hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and seizures in newborns (also known as neonatal seizures or baby seizures) are often due to birth trauma. The trauma is usually caused by obstetrical errors, which commonly put infants at risk, such as:

– the excessive use of vacuum extraction
– improper use of forceps
– failure to recognize signs of fetal distress
– failure to act on dangerous fetal heart fluctuations
– failure to order a timely C-section
– improper treatment of meningitis or jaundice
– failure to treat a prolapsed cord
– improperly administered medications
– negligence in monitoring and treating newborns

When a child is diagnosed with CP or HIE, the medical and financial challenges can overwhelm families. It is essential to seek help from an HIE lawyer.

We’ll investigate the risk factors.

Did you have a premature birth?
What happened during the delivery process?
Can we prove that a hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy injury at birth caused cerebral palsy?

We’ll build your case, review all the details together, then negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf.

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a brain injury that damages the nervous system and affects a child’s ability to control their movements and posture.

This damage can occur due to a lack of oxygen to the brain, infection, or physical trauma during delivery. The severity of cerebral palsy varies greatly, with some children experiencing mild symptoms while others are completely immobile.

What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy?

The symptoms of cerebral palsy depend on the type of cerebral palsy and the severity of the condition.

There are four types of cerebral palsy:

What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy?

The symptoms of cerebral palsy depend on the type of cerebral palsy and the severity of the condition.

There are four types of cerebral palsy:

Spastic

Dyskinetic

Ataxic

Mixed

Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type, characterized by stiff and jerky movements.

Primarily affecting the legs, Spastic diplegia can make it difficult to walk, while the arms may be only slightly affected or not affected at all.

Affecting one side of the body (the arm and leg on the affected side) is Spastic hemiplegia.
Affecting the whole body, including both arms, legs, torso, and face, Spastic quadriplegia is the most severe type of CP.

Usually causing wheelchair dependency, Spastic quadriplegic CP is most often accompanied by a seizure disorder.

Involuntary movements characterize dyskinetic cerebral palsy, while ataxic cerebral palsy affects a child’s balance and coordination.

Mixed cerebral palsy is a combination of the other types of cerebral palsy.

Parents of children with cerebral palsy may notice certain symptoms. These include excessive drooling, muscle tremors, trouble with sitting or standing, difficulty with movements, muscle stiffness, and delayed development.

We’re committed to protecting your child’s future.

If your child suffered hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy during the birth process, contact our birth trauma lawyers for help.

The Yost Legal Group’s cerebral palsy lawyers have the experience and skills you need. We’ll work with experts in obstetrics before filing your birth injury lawsuit.

We know how to fight against multi-million dollar healthcare organizations and insurers to hold medical professionals responsible for their negligence.

How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?

Cerebral palsy is typically diagnosed during infancy, although it can be diagnosed later in childhood. Diagnosis involves a physical examination, medical history, and neurological testing. Doctors may also use imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan to look for signs of brain damage.

What treatments are available for cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy has no cure. However, treatments can help to manage symptoms and improve a child’s quality of life. Treatment may include therapies such as physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy to improve mobility and develop skills.

Medications may also manage symptoms such as muscle stiffness and spasms. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to improve mobility.

How can parents support their child with cerebral palsy?

Parents of children with cerebral palsy may feel overwhelmed and unsure how to support their child best. Help a child with cerebral palsy by:

Seeking early intervention services
Staying informed about their condition
Advocating for their needs

Parents can also help their children by providing a supportive and nurturing environment. Working with healthcare professionals and therapists to develop a treatment plan and encourage independence and self-esteem is imperative.

The United Cerebral Palsy organization provides many support services and resources for families and children with CP. The National Institutes of Health also provide knowledge and information on CP.