Minnesota Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Cerebral palsy often develops during the infancy stage and is challenging for parents to identify. 

According to the CDC, there are 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

The NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes specific age-related signs for parents to monitor for cerebral palsy:

• 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 in Minnesota to get the justice your family deserves. 

Most parents feel heartbroken, overwhelmed, and frustrated after learning their child has cerebral palsy because of a birth injury. 

Many people are unaware of how cerebral palsy will impact their child's life and ability to function on their own properly. 

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 in Minnesota. 

Discovering your child has cerebral palsy because of a devastating birth injury is a traumatic and overwhelming experience for most parents. 

Many people commonly feel confused and distressed, leaving them unsure of what to do next. 

Taking the proper steps after your child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis because of a birth injury is imperative to protect your rights and maximize your chances of recovering just compensation for your family’s damages. 

Maintain Detailed Documentation

Maintain a detailed file of documentation regarding your child’s birth injury and cerebral palsy diagnosis to help strengthen your case, including

• A journal tracking what you know about the birth injury that resulted in your child’s cerebral palsy, including any ensuing losses your family has suffered, as well as any pain and suffering your child experienced
• A copy of the incident report from the birth injury, if available
• A copy of any medical reports from the birth injury and ensuing medical treatments
• All photographs and videos of the birth injury, if available
• Any witness contact information, including medical professionals and loved ones who were in the delivery room

Track Expenses

Keep a list of all expenses and financial losses associated with your child’s birth injury and cerebral palsy diagnosis, including 

• Medical bills
• Lost wages and lost future earnings
• Any additional expenses incurred

Contact an Attorney

It is essential to contact an attorney immediately after learning of your child’s cerebral palsy because of their birth injury to make sure you file all applicable claims within Minnesota’s statute of limitations. 

Working with an attorney will protect your rights and maximize your family’s chances of recovering just compensation for your child’s unjust birth injury and cerebral palsy. 

Your local lawyer will handle your lengthy and complicated insurance claim process, including filing the initial claim with the insurance company, managing all correspondence with the insurance adjuster and other agents, negotiating your settlement offer, and filing a lawsuit if necessary. 

Insurance companies commonly try to deny the fault of the neurological disorder lies with the medical professionals who caused the birth injury. An assertive cerebral palsy attorney will fight to prove that the fault undeniably lies with all liable parties for your child’s cerebral palsy.

A diligent cerebral palsy lawyer will advocate for your family to receive compensation for all damages that result from your child’s birth injury, 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, and loss of quality of life.

Your dedicated cerebral palsy attorney will communicate effectively with you and your family throughout your claims process. They will keep you up to date every step of the way and address any questions and concerns you have in a timely and comprehensive manner. 

Contact the Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Alliance today, and let us connect you with a trusted and dependable cerebral palsy lawyer in Minnesota to help you attain the justice and compensation you deserve.