Types of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy encompasses a wide variety of conditions.  Generally, cerebral palsy happens where the body cannot control movement and posture as a result of impaired development or brain damage. As a result, there is neurological disorder.  Cerebral palsy may be the result of medical malpractice or negligence.  Frequently, medical malpractice lawsuits are filed which involve cerebral palsy stemming from actions occurring during labor and delivery of a child.

Cerebral palsy presents differently from one patient to another.  One person may have a type which causes them to rely upon another person for all daily life activities; another person may have a type of cerebral palsy which is managed with a medication.

There are different types of cerebral palsy and each type has specific characteristics.  These different types include:

• Spastic cerebral palsy - this definition includes spastic dipelgia or diplegic cerebral palsy, which involves cerebral palsy spasticity, which occurs where leg and hip muscles are tight and the legs are crossed at the knee, causing walking to be difficult; spastic hemiplegia or hemiplegic cerebral palsy, where only one side of the body is stiff; and spastic quadriplegia, where the upper and lower body is severely impacted, walking and talking is challenging and a seizure disorder may be present.
• Athetoid Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy - this definition includes muscle weakness or muscle tightness, and can include problems with walking, speaking, sitting, and drooling caused by an inability to control facial muscles.
• Ataxic Cerebral Palsy - this definition includes problems with one’s fine motor skills as well as balance and coordination and tremors.
• Hypotonic cerebral palsy- this definition includes conditions where  motor skills are developmentally delayed; frequently, when the individual is an infant, milestones are not fulfilled.

Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

Treatment for cerebral palsy varies since there are varying degrees of the condition.  However, in most cases, the treatment involves a multi-disciplinary approach.  Consequently, a team of health care providers, care givers, family and friends frequently work together to develop a treatment plan.

Treatment can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, hearing and visual therapy, speech therapy, daily living therapy (therapy to assist with functions of daily life) and other assistive devices, such as voice assisted computers and special customized wheelchairs.

Filing a Claim for Cerebral Palsy

Filing a claim for cerebral palsy is frequently necessary because of the medical costs involved in providing for the care of the person afflicted with the condition.  Usually, the law suit is filed to seek damages for current and projected medical costs and pain and suffering.

Getting Legal Help

Filing a lawsuit based upon cerebral palsy involves complicated issues such as whether a physician’s actions caused the injury and whether the case can be filed within the appropriate statute of limitations.  A cerebral palsy lawyer will not only have experience in these issues, but also the attorney will have the resources available in order to quickly research your case and file the case on your behalf. 

How Does a Lawyer Help?

In addition, the attorney will make sure that any new medical information or legal trends which could benefit your case are reviewed and if necessary, presented to a judge or a jury.  Ultimately, an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer will make sure your rights are protected while working towards getting you the compensation you are entitled to receive.