CEREBRAL PALSY

Few events are as tragic or life-altering as having a child who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The effects of this disability have parents of a child face the grief of watching their young son or daughter struggle to perform the simplest of tasks, like grabbing a toy or forming words. They also face the huge financial responsibility of providing their child with the many available therapies and treatment that will maximize the quality of their child's life when diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Attorneys at Levy Phillips & Konigsberg have helped countless families secure monetary awards that have eased this financial burden and allowed brain damaged children suffering from the effects of cerebral palsy a better chance of overcoming the challenges that come with their disabilities.

Cerebral palsy is neither a birth defect nor a disease. Rather, it is a neurological disorder caused by trauma or injury to the brain - either before, during, or shortly after birth. Cerebral palsy attorneys at LPK have confirmed with expert physicians that often the child develops normally at first, but begins to show developmental delays during the first years of life, such as inability to turn over, to reach for objects or to produce words. Typically the effects of cerebral palsy manifest as a lack of muscle coordination of the legs or arms, exaggerated or spastic movements, such as leg dragging, and poor muscle tone. Cerebral palsy can also cause mental and cognitive disability, seizures, problems with sight, hearing and/or speech, and even loss of bowel or bladder control.

Sadly, many cases of cerebral palsy are the result of medical mistakes and could have been completely avoided had the obstetrician or pediatrician acted in accordance with good and accepted medical practices. This often initiates a cerebral palsy lawsuit as parents struggle to cope with the unending list of medical bills and lost wages. For example, hypoxia, or lack of oxygen to the brain prior to or during delivery, is a well understood cause of cerebral palsy, and occurs when the signs of fetal distress are ignored or not properly attended to. The umbilical cord might be wrapped around the fetus' neck, the fetus may be left in the birth canal too long, or the large size of the fetus might require prompt delivery by C-section. Other medical errors that can result in cerebral palsy include failing to properly treat the pregnant mother for toxemia, diabetes or other conditions that can have disastrous consequences for the unborn child. Medical mistakes during early childhood, such as the failure to diagnose and treat childhood seizures, meningitis, or encephalitis, are also known causes of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy lawyers at LPK will do their best to help you secure what you need to support your child's needs.

While cerebral palsy is an incurable condition, the good news is that there are numerous interventions and treatments available to manage even profound disabilities and cerebral palsy effects, and to promote a good quality of life. Speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and psychological assistance are just some of the available interventions, as are medications to alleviate symptoms of muscle rigidity, and surgery to stabilize limbs, release tight muscles, and repair anatomical alignment. There are also mechanical and computerized devices, including braces, wheelchairs, voice synthesizers and other communication aids that can provide for a more normal and enjoyable quality of life.

Cerebral palsy attorneys at LPK state that proper therapeutic intervention and treatment can be financially devastating for families of brain damaged children. And, since the effects of cerebral palsy do not shorten a child's life-span, parents must be concerned with providing future financial security for their disabled adult child, after the parents are no longer able to do so. It is here where our law firm may be of assistance. With over twenty five years of experience investigating and prosecuting medical malpractice actions on behalf of brain damaged children, we have the proven skill and know-how to secure substantial dollar awards in cerebral palsy lawsuits. We have seen successful verdicts and settlements fund annuities and trusts that make all the difference in maximizing the quality of life for a disabled child and its family. Please contact partner Diane Paolicelli for more information.