Cerebral Palsy Information | Birth Injuries and Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy and Birth Injuries

Cerebral palsy is sometimes caused by birth injuries. These birth injuries may or may not be caused by the doctors and nurses, or because of the hospital and the facilities provided for the birth. However it is caused, CP can have devastating effects on children. In some cases, they may be totally debilitated for life. The injuries that cause CP never heal. They do not degenerate further with age, though there is sometimes a worsening of symptoms as time goes on.

Cerebral palsy in infants is caused when the baby’s brain is starved of oxygen. This causes specific types of damage that affect control over the muscles. In some cases, the cerebellum may be affected most and this can result in ataxic cerebral palsy. This type of cerebral palsy affects coordination and balance. There is sometimes very low muscle tone, as well. It can be a challenging condition requiring a great deal of care.

In other children, a different area of the brain may be injured, which can sometimes result in dyskinetic cerebral palsy. This type of cerebral palsy causes mixed muscle tone. In some sufferers, there may be twitching of the face and limbs that is sometimes very significant and impossible to control. Children with this form of cerebral palsy will usually have a lot of trouble sitting up and balancing themselves.

In many cases, CP is accompanied by other disabilities that affect the brain. Learning disabilities are fairly common. Some cases also cause a tremulous voice and problems with hearing and speech. There are many sufferers who need very specialized care and some who need to live in facilities where adequate care can be given.

In cases where medical negligence is to blame for the injury that caused CP, there may be a legal option for parents. This can be explored by consulting with a lawyer, which can sometimes be done for free.

If the parents have a case, they may be able to sue for damages and recover compensation. This can sometimes allow those parents to provide care for their child over the long term. The extra medical care that children with this disorder require can be very expensive. There’s no guarantee that you’ll win a lawsuit or that you have one, but it’s worth it to consult with a lawyer to get their opinion. Ask them about contingency arrangements to avoid upfront legal fees.