Receiving a diagnosis of cerebral palsy for their child after suffering a birth injury is a painful and heartbreaking experience for parents. Most people feel a deep sense of grief and distress, knowing that their child will face lifelong complications because of an unjust injury caused during their birth.
Most parents who learn their child has cerebral palsy are left wondering what resources are available for their child and their family to build a strong support system.
At the Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Alliance, our network of lawyers can help you and your loved ones navigate this challenging time. Contact the Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Alliance today at (888) 894-9067. Let us connect you with a skilled and compassionate cerebral palsy lawyer in your area to help you get the care and justice you deserve.
How Can Families Access Support Resources for Children With Cerebral Palsy?
Families can build strong support systems for children with cerebral palsy by educating themselves, joining advocacy groups, and working with professionals like therapists. Online resources, community groups, and legal support can ensure access to care, independence, and justice for birth injuries.
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines cerebral palsy as a term that encompasses a group of neurological disorders that affect a person’s body movement and muscle coordination.
Cerebral palsy develops during infancy or early childhood and has a lifelong effect on a person’s ability to control their movement, maintain balance, and maintain posture.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites cerebral palsy as the most common motor disability in childhood.
The effects of cerebral palsy on a person's ability to function can range from a slight difficulty in walking correctly on their own to requiring the use of special equipment to aid in walking to not being able to walk at all.
While there is currently no known cure for cerebral palsy, the condition does not progress over time. However, the symptoms that a person experiences can change over their lifetime.
If a birth injury caused your child to develop cerebral palsy, contact the Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Alliance today, and we will connect you with a trusted cerebral palsy lawyer.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused by an injury or abnormal development of the brain before, during, or after birth.
Congenital cerebral palsy is caused by an abnormality or issue arising in the womb, meaning the person is born with the neurological disorder.
Acquired cerebral palsy is caused by an issue that arose either during or after birth.
Common causes of acquired cerebral palsy include
- Lack of oxygen to the brain, also known as asphyxia, that occurs during delivery
- A mother delivering multiple births, commonly in the form of twins or triples, and losing one in the womb during delivery increases the risk of a birthed child developing cerebral palsy
- Babies delivered prematurely or at a low birth weight
- Untreated jaundice at birth
- Improper use of tools or poor treatment of the baby during birth that causes head trauma
- Medical staff not properly treating infections, such as meningitis or encephalitis
Contact the Cerebral Palsy Lawyers Alliance if a birth injury caused your baby to develop cerebral palsy. Let us connect you with a local lawyer to help your family get the care and justice you deserve.
What Are Common Signs That My Infant Has Cerebral Palsy?
Most parents find it challenging to identify if their infant has cerebral palsy after suffering a birth injury.
The CDC identifies common signs of cerebral palsy for parents to be aware of with their infants, including
- Developmental delays, such as having difficulty learning to roll over, sit, crawl, or walk
- Decreased muscle tone that creates an appearance of being relaxed or floppy
- Increased muscle tone that makes them appear rigid or stiff
- Unusual posture of favoring one side of their body when they crawl or reach
Also read: Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy in Babies: What Parents Should Know About Cerebral Palsy Symptoms
According to the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, there are specific age-related signs for parents to monitor for cerebral palsy in their child:
- Under six months of age
- The child’s head lags when picked up or while lying on their back
- Their body appears stiff
- The child’s body feels floppy
- When picked up, the baby’s legs stiffen and either cross or scissor
- Over six months of age
- The child cannot roll over in either direction
- The child is unable to bring their hands together or to their mouth
- The infant favors one hand while keeping the other hand in a fist
- Over ten months of age
- The child pushes with one hand and leg while crawling, leaving the other side of the body to drag
- Inability to stand, even with support
Contact the Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Alliance today if your baby was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after suffering a birth injury. Let us connect you with a trusted cerebral palsy lawyer to get the justice your family deserves.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?
Learning that a birth injury led to their child's cerebral palsy often leaves parents feeling devastated, overwhelmed, and frustrated.
Many individuals are not fully aware of how cerebral palsy will affect their child's daily life and independence.
While the symptoms of cerebral palsy a person experiences will vary on the severity of their neurological disorder, the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke identifies common symptoms of cerebral palsy:
- Ataxia, or the lack of muscle coordination
- Spasticity, such as the person experiencing stiff or tight muscles, as well as exaggerated reflexes
- Weakness in at least one limb
- Walking with a scissored gait, crouched gait, or on their toes
- Muscle tone variation, whether too floppy or too stiff
- Tremors, shaking, and random involuntary movements
- Motor skill milestones either reached late or not at all
- Challenges in making precise movements, like buttoning a shirt or writing
The NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke also notes common conditions a person may experience related to their cerebral palsy, including
- Seizures are experienced by approximately half of all children diagnosed with cerebral palsy
- An estimated 30-50 percent of all people with cerebral palsy experience a form of an intellectual disability
- Delayed growth or development of muscles and limbs
- Osteoarthritis and spinal deformities, such as scoliosis, lordosis, and kyphosis, are common conditions associated with cerebral palsy due to the pressure on and misalignment of a person's joints
- Impaired vision, commonly in the form of strabismus, poor vision, or blindness
- Partial or complete hearing loss
- Speech and language disorders
- Excessive drooling due to the inability to control the muscles in their throat, mouth, and tongue
- Incontinence
- Challenges with perceptions and sensations
- Difficulty learning and processing certain types of auditory and spatial information
- Experiencing a higher risk of contracting infections and long-term illnesses, such as pneumonia, heart disease, and lung disease
- Muscle contractures
- Malnutrition as the result of feeding difficulties
- Dental problems, commonly in the form of cavities and gum disease
- Inability to maintain strength and fitness, leading to a decrease in overall well-being and health
- Reduced bone mineral density and increased risk of broken or fractured bones
- Higher risk of developing psychological issues, such as depression, anxiety, social issues, and emotional issues
If a birth injury caused your child to develop cerebral palsy, call the Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Alliance today and let us connect you with a trusted and diligent cerebral palsy lawyer.
Can I Receive Compensation if a Birth Injury Caused My Child to Develop Cerebral Palsy?
Many parents experience feelings of heartbreak, frustration, and being overwhelmed after discovering that their child's diagnosis of cerebral palsy was due to a birth injury. They are frequently unsure of their options and how to seek assistance in pursuing justice for their challenging circumstances.
If a birth injury resulted in your child developing cerebral palsy, your family may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inability to use a body part
- Partial or permanent disability
- Medical expenses for both current and future treatments
- Any resulting medical complications or health issues
- Loss of wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
Working with a dependable and compassionate cerebral palsy lawyer will help you and your family maximize your compensation while protecting your rights in your fight for justice.
Contact the Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Alliance today, and let us connect you with a local cerebral palsy lawyer.
Why Choose a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
Discovering that a tragic birth injury has led to your infant developing cerebral palsy is a profoundly distressing and emotional ordeal for parents. Many find themselves searching for ways to seek justice for the unfair lifelong challenges their child will face.
Working with a dedicated and knowledgeable cerebral palsy lawyer will make this painful and complicated situation more manageable for you and your loved ones to navigate.
At the Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Alliance, our network of lawyers can help you and your loved ones attain justice for your child’s traumatic birth injury.
Your local lawyer will listen to you closely in order to thoroughly understand your painful and challenging situation. They will investigate all aspects of your birth injury case and gather all the necessary evidence. Your dedicated legal team will passionately advocate on your family’s behalf to attain the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact the Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Alliance today. Let us connect you with a dependable and well-respected cerebral palsy lawyer.
Building Strong Support Systems for Cerebral Palsy
Most parents feel immensely distraught and heartbroken after learning a birth injury caused their infant to develop cerebral palsy.
They are often unsure of what life will look like for their child and what resources and support are available for their family.
Building a strong support system and resource network is crucial for enhancing the quality of life for your child and your family.
Educate Yourself and Your Loved Ones
It is important to properly understand the unique needs your child with cerebral palsy will have throughout their life.
Each person’s experience with cerebral palsy is different, with varying degrees of mobility, communication, and cognitive abilities.
Family members, friends, and caregivers should proactively educate themselves about the neurological disorder and be able to recognize how it impacts daily life.
There are a number of resources available online, including
- Cerebral Palsy Research Network
- Center for Parent Information and Resources
- My Child at cerebalpalsy.org
Seek a Strong Team of Professional Support
Professional assistance plays a vital role in improving the lives of people with cerebral palsy.
Seeking the help of skilled and engaging physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists can enhance your child’s mobility, communication, and daily functioning.
Your professional team can also provide tailored strategies and interventions that facilitate independence and skill development for your child.
Build a Strong Personal Support System
Family and friends are the common core of any support system. Building a strong support system with your closest loved ones will provide your child with unconditional love and understanding while providing them with emotional comfort and stability.
It is essential for your family and friends to communicate openly about your child’s needs and preferences so that everyone is on the same page.
Join Community Groups
Connecting with community resources, support groups, and advocacy organizations is incredibly beneficial for both your child and your family.
These groups provide opportunities for individuals with cerebral palsy and their families to share experiences, challenges, and triumphs.
Joining a trusted community will reduce the isolation your child and your family may feel while also creating a network of encouragement, advice, and camaraderie.
Available online groups and communities include
- United Cerebral Palsy
- Cerebral Palsy Research Network’s My CP
- Inspire Support Group
- Mommies of Miracles
If your child developed cerebral palsy because of a birth injury, contact the Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Alliance today. Let us connect you with a local cerebral palsy lawyer to help your family get the care and justice you deserve for your pain and suffering.
Work With a Dedicated Cerebral Palsy Attorney
Discovering that a birth injury led to their child's cerebral palsy is an incredibly painful and overwhelming experience for many parents.
People often feel uncertain about the resources and support options available to help their child and family as they navigate this lifelong neurological condition.
Working with a dedicated cerebral palsy lawyer will protect your family’s rights while attaining justice and fair compensation for your devastating situation.
Contact the Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Alliance today at (888) 894-9067, and let us connect you with a local cerebral palsy lawyer to get your family the care and justice you deserve.