Chicago Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

The neurologic and cognitive impairments resulting from the many CP disorders can cause significant emotional and financial strain on the affected child and family members. Rates of CP vary worldwide and by geographical region, but overall, CP in the United States happens in approximately 2-3 per 1,000 live births, with fluctuations commonly occurring by state and hospital.

CP is often the result of an injury or problem occurring during brain development in utero or within the first formative years of life. Children born prematurely have a higher chance of developing CP. Additionally, when fetuses or newborns don’t get enough blood, oxygen, or other nutrients before or during birth, they might suffer brain injuries that lead to a CP diagnosis. Lastly, if a child suffers a significant head injury or exposure to certain infections affecting the brain, such as meningitis, they can sometimes develop CP. 

Medical errors that may lead to cerebral palsy include:

• Untimely C-section
• Failure to detect signs of fetal distress
• Failure to diagnose or treat maternal infections during pregnancy
• Mismanaged shoulder dystocia
• Vacuum extraction injuries
• Forceps injuries
• Failure to appropriately address umbilical cord compression

The most common early symptom of cerebral palsy is an infant’s inability to meet developmental milestones at the expected ages, such as head control by two months, rolling over by four months, sitting up unassisted by six months, and walking by one year. These symptoms can vary based on severity. 

In children with mild cases, you may not notice symptoms until the child is older and begins struggling with daily activities that require fine motor skills, such as buttoning clothes, eating, and writing.

The following are the four types of cerebral palsy:

• Spastic cerebral palsy – excessive muscle tone, leading to stiffness, pain, and paralysis, accounting for 80 percent of cases
• Dyskinetic cerebral palsy – involuntary movement, loss of muscle tone, pain, and, in some cases, trouble swallowing, speaking, or sleeping
• Ataxic cerebral palsy – lack of balance and coordination, tremors, shaky movements, and difficulty controlling voluntary movements
• Mixed cerebral palsy – a combination of two or three types of cerebral palsy

According to the medical journal Brain Sciences, cerebral palsy typically does not affect life span. However, those with cerebral palsy experience lifelong challenges that may increase after they reach adulthood. People with severe cases may be unable to live independently. Even those who can live independently often have difficulty accessing ongoing rehabilitation therapy needed to maintain their physical and cognitive skills throughout life, resulting in a reduced quality of life.

The average lifetime cost of cerebral palsy is $1.2 million per person, according to Brain Sciences. Federal and community resources for people with disabilities are rarely sufficient to meet these needs. Financial compensation through a cerebral palsy lawsuit can increase your child’s access to effective medical care throughout life and ensure they enjoy the quality of life they deserve.