What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a medical term describing disorders of movement control and muscle coordination. It is a form of chronic motor disability in children and is commonly associated with seizures, sensory impairments and cognitive limitations.
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A specific diagnosis of the type of cerebral palsy is usually not made until the child is at least 18 months. There are four types of cerebral palsy, which impact different muscle groups in different ways:
- Spastic Cerebral Palsy: Stiff and weak muscles.
- Athetoid Cerebral Palsy: Uncontrolled and involuntary movements.
- Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: Shaky movements and unsteady balance.
- Mixed Cerebral Palsy: Combination of types, (usually Spastic and Athetoid).
▸ INFORMATION: Cerebral Palsy Types
The symptoms of cerebral palsy can differ from one child to the next. Some children with cerebral palsy only display mild cerebral palsy symptoms, such as clumsiness and awkwardness. Other children are affected with much more noticeable and disabling symptoms, such as inability to walk, talk and move independently.
▸ INFORMATION: Cerebral Palsy Symptoms
CEREBRAL PALSY STATISTICS
Studies have shown that cerebral palsy occurs in approximately 3 out of every 1000 infants born. Although there is no complete reporting of all cases for accurate cerebral palsy statistics, it has been estimated that as many as 500,000 people in the United States are affected by Cerebral Palsy.
Once the damage to the child’s brain has been sustained, it is not curable. However, cerebral palsy also is not a progressive disease, and the damage to the brain does not get worse as the child gets older.
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CAUSES OF CEREBRAL PALSY
Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage suffered before, during or immediately after birth. While a brain injury resulting in cerebral palsy can occur without a medical mistake, many cases of cerebral palsy with children can be tied to a specific event or occurrence which could have been prevented.
▸ INFORMATION: Cerebral Palsy Causes
▸ INFORMATION: Medical Mistakes Resulting in CP
CEREBRAL PALSY TREATMENT
Although Cerebral Palsy is not curable, there are many cerebral palsy treatment options to help a child with cerebral palsy lead a more productive and independent life. These include physical and occupational therapy, assistive technology, surgery and medication.
Cerebral palsy places a large financial and emotional burden on the family and on the child who faces lifelong challenges dealing with the disability. In some situations, there may be cerebral palsy settlement benefits availble to cover medical expenses associated with treatment if a medical mistake caused the condition.
▸ INFORMATION: Cerebral Palsy Treatment Options
CEREBRAL PALSY LAWSUITS
When cerebral palsy is the result of a medical mistake made by a doctor, hospital or nurse, it is the child and family who are left with the disability. The investigation of a cerebral palsy claim requires experienced cerebral palsy attorneys to successfully obtain a recovery. Our cerebral palsy lawyers have investigated and reviewed thousands of claims for parents of children with cerebral palsy who suspected it was caused by negligence or mistakes made by doctors during child birth.
Request a free consultation and cerebral palsy claim evaluation. There are no fees or expenses unless we obtain a recovery for your child and your family. In addition, after obtaining a free claim evalauation, there is no obligation to retain our services. There are different deadlines in each state which could bar the child’s right to obtain cerebral palsy benefits, so it is important to have any potential claim reviewed as soon as you can.