What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy, or CP, is an umbrella term used to classify symptoms characterized by a loss or impairment of motor functions that can affect walking, balance, posture, reflexes, coordination, and muscle control. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly 4 out of every 1,000 live births are affected by cerebral palsy.
The causes of cerebral palsy are wide-ranging; there are times when a baby suffers brain damage because of medical negligence. When medical professionals fail to properly monitor the mother and baby during labor and delivery, or fail to properly monitor the baby in the NICU, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy can result, and ultimately lead to a diagnosis.
Lifetime care for a child suffering from cerebral palsy can be overwhelmingly expensive. It is essential to determine the cause of your child’s condition so that you can pursue the just compensation to which you and your family may be entitled.
The Providence cerebral palsy lawyers at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd have an extensive background handling cases involving cerebral palsy. Our veteran legal team has the experience, knowledge, and resources necessary to ensure that your rights are protected and your child receives the standard of care they deserve during this difficult time. We strive to help our clients meet both their immediate needs in addition to ensuring your family has what it needs for the future.
What are the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy occurs when the brain has been so significantly damaged that it impacts someone’s ability to control their muscles. This can cause lifelong impairment.
The symptoms of cerebral palsy vary in severity from person to person. The most common symptoms of CP include:
- Sensory processing issues
- Hearing and vision impairments
- Speech and language issues
- Epilepsy or seizure disorders
- Cognitive disabilities
- Muscle spasticity
- Difficulties with fine motor skills
- Inability to sit or walk unsupported
- Postural abnormalities
- Poor muscle tone
What Are the Four Types of Cerebral Palsy?
There are four types of cerebral palsy. Based on the specific symptoms of the child, a medical expert may identify:
- Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A child with spastic cerebral palsy has difficulty controlling muscle movement and experiences stiff and spastic muscles, delayed movement, and increased muscle tone. This form of cerebral palsy accounts for 75 percent of all cases.
- Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy: This type of cerebral palsy is characterized by unpredictable movements, poor posture, and repetitive, twisting motions. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is the second most common type of CP.
- Mixed Cerebral Palsy: As the name suggests, this type of CP involves a blend of multiple forms of cerebral palsy. The most common mixture is spastic-dyskinetic cerebral palsy.
- Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: A child with ataxic cerebral palsy experiences poor balance, shaky movements, and tremors.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
In the broadest terms, cerebral palsy is caused by asphyxia-related brain damage. When a developing baby or newborn child does not receive adequate oxygen and blood to the brain, he or she can suffer serious and permanent brain damage as brain cells begin to die. In some cases, this leads to cerebral palsy.
Proper diagnosis of health threats and conditions during pregnancy and delivery can be the difference between a beautiful, healthy baby and a lifetime of dealing with the consequences of a cerebral palsy birth injury. If your baby has been the victim of medical malpractice, it is in the best interest of your family and your child’s future to speak with a cerebral palsy lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact Our Providence Cerebral Palsy Lawyers Today
Proving that cerebral palsy resulted from medical malpractice requires experience and knowledge of birth injuries and their consequences. Choosing an attorney who does not have experience with these highly complex cases can jeopardize your ability to recover the full and fair compensation your family needs to move forward after a serious birth injury.
If your baby was diagnosed with this ailment, we can help. At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd, our Providence cerebral palsy lawyers know that families whose children suffer from a devastating brain injury during labor and delivery often need extensive assistance caring for their children throughout their lives.
Call Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd today at (401) 273-8330 or fill out our confidential contact form for a free initial consultation and review of your case.
