Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit

Cerebral palsy is commonly referred to as a single disorder, but it is actually an all-encompassing term for any number of movement disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The word itself is descriptive of the issues: cerebral means relating to the brain and palsy means muscle weakness or problems.

There is still some debate on the exact causes of cerebral palsy, but it is generally believed to be caused by an injury to the brain while the organ is still developing. The damage is usually done to the region of the brain that controls movement, balance, and posture. It can be caused before, during, or shortly after birth.

Although symptoms can start to reveal themselves as early as a few days old, cerebral palsy is most commonly diagnosed in early childhood.

Because there are different types of cerebral palsy and levels of severity, the signs and symptoms can vary greatly.

Movement Problems

Problems with motor skills are the defining feature of cerebral palsy. In some cases, a child may have trouble holding utensils and swallowing food because of the motor skills associated with the process. Other signs include stiff muscles, uncontrollable movements, and lack of coordination.

Babies may miss milestones like rolling over or crawling.

Cognitive Issues

Movement is the main issue of cerebral palsy but cognitive problems also frequently arise in those with one of the disorders. In some cases, people may have cognitive impairments that include delayed language development, difficulty learning, memory problems, short attention span, social awkwardness, and anxiety.

Language Disorders

Language is a major sign of cerebral palsy as well. Up to 88 percent of those with cerebral palsy have challenges with timing, vocal quality, and pronunciation of words while speaking. Another 25 percent of people with cerebral palsy are completely nonverbal.

Physical Limitations

On top of the other issues, victims of cerebral palsy may also suffer from low trauma fractures due to low bone mineral density and deformities. Posture and other motor issues can make it difficult for those with cerebral palsy to walk or be active.

There is no cure for cerebral palsy. However, there are a few treatment options to help make someone with cerebral palsy more comfortable throughout their life.

Whoever has the disorder will often meet with a medical care team who will guide them on the best options. This team includes pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, development therapists, social workers, special education teachers, and more.

Each of these individuals can provide more information on things a child or adult with cerebral palsy can do to treat symptoms and make more informed decisions about life. For example, an orthopedic surgeon may be able to offer surgical options that could help treat muscle disorders or spastic movements. A speech-language pathologist could help a child with language disorders.

Pediatricians might also give medications to treat severe symptoms, like spasticity. Muscle relaxers could help relax stiff muscles.