Cerebral Palsy (CP) is defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke as “a group of neurological disorders that appear in infancy to early childhood and permanently affect body movement, muscle coordination, and balance.”
Statistics show that one in 323 children has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, or CP as it is commonly called. Perhaps more alarming, one in 10 CP cases is due to medical malpractice. Most often, children are “born” with CP, due to a variety of risk factors including low birth weight, disrupted blood and oxygen supply to the brain (often due to medical negligence), an infection in the mother, and birth defects.
Only a small number of CP cases are acquired in the early years of a child’s life, and in those cases CP is a result of a fall, motor vehicle accident, or infection (such as meningitis).
Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
Sometimes CP is not detected until several years into childhood. Early signs typically appear before the age of three and include:
- Lack of muscle coordination.
- Muscle spasms.
- Walking on toes.
- Walking with one foot dragging.
- Walking hunched over.
Other symptoms include seizures, trouble controlling bladder and bowel, pain, and impaired hearing and vision.
Treatment Options for Cerebral Palsy are Available
CP cannot be cured, although there are treatment options available, which if utilized early on can improve the child’s chances of overcoming developmental disabilities since children can learn new ways of accomplishing tasks.
Early intervention, supportive treatments, and surgery can all be helpful in improving muscle control. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with medication to control seizures and relax muscle spasms are some of the treatments offered to individuals with CP.
Is Medical Negligence the Cause of Your Child’s Cerebral Palsy?
When it comes to CP, medical negligence may be to blame. Negligent factors may include:
- Failure to diagnose.
- Failure to monitor distress of the fetus or mother.Failure to perform a C Section.
- Improper use of birthing tools.
- And more
Often times, it’s difficult to tell if you have a valid case, but if you suspect that your child has CP due to medical negligence, it’s critical you speak with a lawyer who can help you determine the best course of action.
The experienced lawyers at Panter, Panter and Sampedro are skilled and well versed in birth injury medical malpractice cases. Feel free to call us at 305-662-6178 for a free consultation if you suspect your child has been harmed due to medical negligence.
References
Cerebral Palsy Compensation Claims | Birth Injury Guide. (2016). Retrieved May 18, 2016, from http://birthinjuryguide.org/cerebral-palsy/financial-support/compensation-claims/
Data & Statistics for Cerebral Palsy. (2016, May 02). Retrieved May 18, 2016, from http://cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/data.html
NINDS Cerebral Palsy Information Page. (2016, March 15). Retrieved May 18, 2016, from http://ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/cerebral_palsy.htm
