According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), cerebral palsy refers to any one of a number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination. Cerebral palsy results from abnormalities in the parts of the brain that control muscle movements. It is often the result of trauma during birth.
Cerebral palsy is sometimes the result of medical negligence, and victims can file a claim to receive compensation for the damages they have suffered. If your child has shown signs of this condition or has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and you wish to speak to an attorney, call the Houston birth injury attorneys at the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant to learn more about your legal options.
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy:
- A crouched gait or “scissored” gait
- Brain infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis
- Lack of muscle coordination when performing voluntary movements
- Muscle tone that is either too stiff or too floppy
- Stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes
- Walking on the toes
- Dragging a foot or leg when walking
Cerebral palsy is the leading cause of childhood disabilities. For every 1,000 births, 3.3 children will suffer from cerebral palsy. Parents don’t always notice cerebral palsy immediately. It is often diagnosed months or years after birth.
How Does Cerebral Palsy Happen?
There are several causes of cerebral palsy. A child can be born with the condition or acquire it after birth. Lack of oxygen to the brain, brain damage, and bleeding in the brain can all cause this condition. Cerebral palsy is often caused by trauma before, during, or immediately after birth. In many cases, it is not readily apparent what caused a child’s cerebral palsy.
Risk factors for cerebral palsy include difficulty during labor, infections during pregnancy, premature birth, and low birthweights.
Doctors and nurses are trained to identify these risks and act to prevent harm from befalling a child. If healthcare providers fail to give proper care to a mother or child during the birthing process, they might bear responsibility for the development of cerebral palsy.
If you believe a healthcare provider’s negligence was responsible for your child’s cerebral palsy, you should consider your legal options. At the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant, we have years of experience handling birth injury cases in Texas. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
Consequences of Cerebral Palsy
The effects of cerebral palsy can range from minor physical restrictions to severe physical and mental impairment. Cerebral palsy is a permanent condition. Though people with cerebral palsy can learn to live with their condition, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. Someone with cerebral palsy might be more likely to experience:
- Intellectual disabilities
- Impaired vision and hearing
- Seizures
- Long-term illnesses
- Spinal disorders.
People with cerebral palsy often face challenges throughout their entire lives. Ongoing treatment or therapy can be expensive and time-consuming. A cerebral palsy sufferer might experience reduced work capacity, premature aging, limited income, depression, and/or pain.
Cerebral palsy also impacts the loved ones of a sufferer. Parents might experience financial difficulties getting tests, treatments, and care for a child with cerebral palsy. They might also suffer emotional stress and anxiety while they learn how to cope with damage suffered by their child.
Legal Options for Those with Cerebral Palsy
If cerebral palsy is inflicted by a healthcare provider’s negligence, a medical malpractice claim can be filed for damages associated with the condition. For someone who might experience costly medical expenses, restricted income, and a diminished quality of life, these claims offer the opportunity to face those challenges with some degree of financial security.
It’s likely that you don’t know for sure what led to your child’s cerebral palsy.
Not only are the causes not always obvious, but a cerebral palsy diagnosis might take several months or even years. An experienced birth injury attorney will know what to look for and how to proceed in filing a claim.
If you are concerned that your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, contact the birth injury lawyers at the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant. Terry Bryant is a Board Certified personal injury attorney and a former judge in Texas. His experience has afforded him the opportunity to help many who have suffered harm due to someone else’s negligence. Let us put our experience and resources to work for you and your loved ones. Call us today at 1 (800) 444-5000 or fill out a confidential and free initial consultation form, which takes only a brief moment to complete.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]