Cerebral Palsy

Parents of a child who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy face a lifetime of significant emotional, psychological and economic hardships in an effort to provide the best possible care for their child. The precise cause of cerebral palsy is still under debate, but it appears that the motor center of the brain sustains some injury early on in the child’s life. The most common instance for cerebral palsy is injuries caused by a lack of oxygen to the baby’s developing brain either during pregnancy of birth. If there is a possibility that your child has been injured before, during or shortly after birth, it is important to contact an experience lawyer to discuss your rights.

Florida Cerebral Palsy Attorneys

If you suspect you child suffered an injury during pregnancy or birth that resulted in cerebral palsy, contact the attorneys at Levine and Glassman. Lisa Levine focuses in the areas of medical malpractice that affect women, including failure to diagnose breast and cervical cancer, plastic surgery errors, birth injuries, delivery room negligence and defective drugs used by women. She prides herself on her dedication to women’s health issues, and has been featured on Good Morning America and NBC News.

Mark Glassman focuses a great deal of his practices on injuries resulting from defective and dangerous drugs, as well as pharmaceutical litigation, and wrongful death litigation. Mr. Glassman has been involved in pharmaceutical cases involving the infamous diet drug, Fen-Phen, and his cases have been highlighted in professional journals such as The Daily Business Review and Contractor Magazine.

Cerebral Palsy Information Center

• What is cerebral palsy?
• Types of Cerebral Palsy
• What are the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy?
• What is the treatment for cerebral palsy?
• How we can help

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What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a medical condition resulting from a permanent brain injury that affects the motor control in the body.

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Types of Cerebral Palsy

There are three types of cerebral palsy:

• Spastic- the most common kind of cerebral palsy. Children with spastic CP cannot relax the muscles or the muscles may become very stiff
• Athetoid- this type of CP affects the child’s balance and coordination. The arms and legs are primarily affected and may flutter or move suddenly
• Ataxic- the least common form of CP. Only about 5% to 10% of the population has this form. It affects all four limbs and the trunk of the body

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What are the signs and symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?

Usually cerebral palsy can be diagnosed within the first 3 years of a child’s life. It is important to check your child for developmental delays or the following signs and symptoms:

• Struggle with fine motor skills such as handling scissors, using crayons, buttoning a jacket, and any other movement that uses fingers and hands
• Struggles with other motor skills like walking, riding a tricycle, kicking a ball and other movements with the legs and arms
• Trouble sitting upright
• Shakes a lot or has uncontrollable jerking of legs, arms or torso
• Weak muscles
• Body tremors
• Weak facial muscles
• Troubling using the tongue

Most often these symptoms can be mild to severe. A physician can run the proper tests and determine if the child suffers from cerebral palsy or some other condition.

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What is the treatment for cerebral palsy?

There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but there are a number of treatments that can help improve a child’s capabilities. Treatments may include:

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Drugs to control seizures
• Drugs to alleviate pain
• Drugs to relax muscle spasms
• Surgery to correct anatomical abnormalities
• Braces
• Rolling Walkers
• Wheelchairs
• Communication Aids

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How we can help

We are experienced medical malpractice lawyers who have handled several birth defect and birth injury cases. There are a number of medical mistakes that could have caused her child to develop cerebral palsy. It is possible for the physician to have misread the sonogram, delayed a C-section, improperly used medical devices during the birth or misread the fetal monitor. Usually the cause of cerebral palsy is inadequate oxygen or trauma to the brain and it is common for instances to occur during child birth. The doctor might not tell you about it so it is important to seek legal representation so that the lawyers can find out if you have a case or not.

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Resources

United Cerebral Palsy - advocates independence for children with disabilities

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - provides information about neurological disorders like cerebral palsy

Levine & Glassman, P.A. | Florida Retained Object Attorneys

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy due to a birth injury, you need to ensure you are well represented. The complications suffered could possibly have been avoided and may have lasting consequences that can affect the quality of life for years to come. The attorneys at Levine & Glassman are experienced medical malpractice attorneys and are able to ensure that you receive fair compensation for the damages you and your child have suffered. If you are anywhere in Florida, including: Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, or the surrounding areas of Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach counties, contact Levine & Glassman for an analysis of your retained foreign object case.