Cerebral palsy is a serious birth injury that occurs because of an injury to the brain during childbirth or delivery, from a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the brain, or trauma. Cerebral palsy is not caused by muscle or nerve damage, but rather from abnormalities in the brain that control muscle movement. At this time there is no cure for cerebral palsy and children who have cerebral palsy may need extensive medical attention for their entire lives.
Cerebral palsy may not even be identified in a child for months or years; however, by the age of six months, early signs may start to become noticeable and by three years, most symptoms will be apparent. There are three main types of cerebral palsy:
Spastic cerebral palsy - this is the most common form of cerebral palsy and can be identified by difficult or stiff movement. Approximately 80% of cerebral palsy victims have spastic cerebral palsy.
Athetoid cerebral palsy - approximately 10% of cerebral palsy victims have athetoid cerebral palsy. It can be identified by involuntary movements, or movements that are uncontrollable.
Ataxic cerebral palsy - this type of cerebral palsy can be identified by a distorted sense of depth perception and balance. Children with ataxic cerebral palsy show signs of shakiness, may be unsteady, and have difficulty coordinating muscle movements.
Additional cerebral palsy symptoms may include developmental delays, abnormalities in muscles or reflexes on one side of the body, seizures, dragging a foot or leg when walking, trembling in arms or legs, or abnormal posture.
Parents who suspect their child may have cerebral palsy or believe the cause may have been from medical malpractice, face a problem with the statute of limitations, as the statute of limitations places a limitation on how much time a parent has to file a lawsuit or risk losing the ability to recover damages and a lifetime of care necessary for the child.
If you suspect your child has cerebral palsy and it occurred due to medical negligence, you should immediately consult with a medical malpractice birth injury attorney such as Dr. Bruce G. Fagel. The Law Offices of Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates specializes in birth injuries, including cerebral palsy. If you have a case for medical malpractice, Dr. Fagel can help you recover compensation to provide the medical care your child will require for the rest of his or her life.
