Florida Cerebral Palsy Lawyers​
Understanding some basic facts about cerebral palsy, its symptoms, and its links to medical malpractice can be useful when considering legal action. Time is of the essence, however, and failing to act quickly in a cerebral palsy lawsuit may cause you to forfeit your right to seek justice.
When a medical professional — such as a nurse, doctor, hospital, or other medical workers — acts negligently, the outcomes can be devastating. Hiring an experienced Florida birth injury lawyer can help you hold negligent parties responsible for their actions.
If someone you love was affected by a birth injury, they deserve compensation for their injuries. Contact Farah & Farah today for a free, no-obligation consultation now!
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the developing brain, specifically the motor control centers. It is an umbrella term that describes many forms of a non-progressive motor conditions that cause body movement disability. The word “cerebral” and “palsy” refers to a movement disorder.
People with cerebral palsy have difficulty moving and maintaining upright positions. Symptoms for cerebral palsy are different between people. Many people experience conditions such as:
- Intellectual and learning disabilities
- Difficulties with speech, breathing, and chewing
- Abnormal spine growth affecting posture
- Involuntary movements
- Joint problems
- Chronic seizures
- Sensory impairment (vision and hearing)
- Abnormal walking pattern
Generally, cerebral palsy doesn’t grow worse over time. However, the severe physical limitations and changes to visual and auditory processing may require lifelong care.
How Common Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy can occur during pregnancy and childbirth. About 2 in every 1,000 live births in the industrialized world results in an incidence of cerebral palsy. In the U.S. that translates to about 10,000 infants and babies diagnosed every year.
Types of Cerebral Palsy
There are four different types of cerebral palsy:
- Spastic Diplegia: – Both arms and legs have contractions or stiffness, also known as paraplegia.
- Ataxic Palsy: – This rare form of cerebral palsy affects up to 10 percent of those suffering from cerebral palsy. Unsteadiness and poor balance character this form of cerebral palsy.
- Athetoid/Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy: – Muscle tone in this form of cerebral palsy is either too tight or too loose. Also called dyskinetic cerebral palsy, a large number of people have high intelligence and also suffer from spasms.
- Mild Cerebral Palsy: – Can be a mixture of the above.
While there is no single cause of cerebral palsy, it can also occur before birth when the infant’s oxygen is cut off. Birth trauma during labor and delivery, multiple births, being born premature, low birth weight and hypoxia of the brain can all lead to cerebral palsy, as can a failure to detect a prolapsed cord or improper use of forceps.
How Cerebral Palsy Affects Your Family
Children with mild cerebral palsy will only need limited assistance and care. Others with more advanced conditions require ongoing medical supervision and full-time care. These costs can average a staggering $1,469,305 over a lifetime. Additionally, you may need to add accessibility modifications to your home.
In addition to footing the bill for your child’s care, you may need to serve as their advocate for many complicated and stressful situations. As your child grows into an adult, they may face regular discrimination from workplaces and public centers. Protecting the right of a disabled loved one can wind up costing parents even more money in legal fees.
Cerebral Palsy Attorneys Serving Florida
If a medical professional’s negligence has caused your child’s disability, you owe it to yourself to talk to a cerebral palsy lawyer. We depend on doctors to help us, and they should have to answer to their patients who receive negligent care.
But fighting negligent medical professionals can be an uphill battle. Without proper documentation, it can be challenging to prove that a medical professional acted negligently. You must act fast if you suspect medical negligence caused your child’s condition. Any delay could affect your path to justice.
Hiring a cerebral palsy lawyer with experience going toe-to-toe with the medical establishment can help you get the results you deserve. Contact the cerebral palsy attorneys at Farah & Farah today for a free no-obligation consultation.
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