Cerebral Palsy

What Is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement and coordination. It is caused by damage to the developing brain, often before or during birth.

The condition does not worsen over time. However, symptoms may change as your child grows. Cerebral palsy affects muscle tone, motor skills, and balance.

People with cerebral palsy may also have other medical conditions like epilepsy, intellectual disability, or vision problems due to the damage done to their brains. In severe cases of CP, a child’s life expectancy may be shorter.

Families of children whose CP was caused by medical negligence during birth may be able to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for medical costs, long-term care, assistive devices, and more.

Get a free case review today to learn about your options.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

The causes of CP vary, but many cases involve brain damage that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. If you’re one of the many mothers who are wondering what happened while you were in labor, you’re not alone.

Possible causes and risk factors for cerebral palsy include:

• Head injuries during birth
• Infections such as meningitis
• Lack of oxygen during labor or delivery
• Low birth weight
• Premature birth or preterm complications
• Severe jaundice

While each case is unique, medical professionals had a duty to keep you and your unborn child as safe as possible from these health issues. Sometimes, this doesn’t happen, and children are born with CP as a result.

Medical Negligence and Cerebral Palsy

The health care providers who delivered your child had a duty to monitor for potentially severe health issues that could lead to CP. Their negligence could be directly responsible for your child’s diagnosis.

Examples of medical negligence that can lead to CP may include:

• Delayed C-section
• Failure to respond to fetal distress
• Failure to treat infections
• Improper use of delivery tools

“Experienced CP lawyers have handled many of these cases for families like yours and know the tactics hospitals use to hide mistakes, make low offers, or deny responsibility.”

— Ricky LeBlanc, cerebral palsy lawyer

When negligence causes CP or other significant birth injuries, families may have legal options. Contact us today to learn if we may be able to help you seek justice for your child.

Risk Factors for Cerebral Palsy

Certain factors increase the risk of cerebral palsy. These risk factors do not always cause the condition, but they require careful medical attention.

Common risk factors for developing CP include:

• Being a twin or triplet
• Low birth weight
• Maternal health issues like seizures
• Maternal infections
• Multiple births
• Premature birth
• Preterm labor complications
• Use of infertility treatments

Other direct causes, such as low birth weight and maternal infections, could also be considered risk factors for CP. Factors vary between cases.

Health care professionals are trained to manage these risks. If they fail to do that, a brain injury could change a child’s life.

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Symptoms of cerebral palsy can affect movement, coordination, speech, and cognitive development. Every child’s case is different because CP symptoms vary depending on which part of the brain is damaged.

CP symptoms are classified into the following groups, including:

• Neurological symptoms
• Physical symptoms
• Speech and communication symptoms

In many cases, symptoms develop gradually during infancy or early childhood. Some signs may be noticeable within the first year of life. Others become clearer as a child misses developmental milestones.

If your child may have CP, contact us now to speak with a case manager about your family’s experience, learn about your potential legal options, and start healing.

Neurological Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Because cerebral palsy affects the brain, your child could suffer complications related to their thinking and speaking.

Common neurological symptoms of CP include:

• Abnormal response to pain or touch
• Developmental delays
• Intellectual disability
• Learning difficulties
• Seizures or epilepsy

The extent of your child’s birth injury and resulting CP diagnosis may not become apparent until symptoms develop during early childhood. A neurologist can evaluate these symptoms and recommend treatments to support your child as they learn and grow.

Physical Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy often affects muscle tone and movement, making it hard for kids to control their bodies properly.

Common physical symptoms of CP include:

• Difficulty crawling, walking, or sitting
• Excessive drooling
• Favoring one side of the body
• Jerky or involuntary movements
• Poor coordination and balance
• Scissor walking (with knees crossing)
• Stiff muscles or floppy muscle tone
• Toe walking or unusual posture
• Trouble sucking, eating, or swallowing

These symptoms may worsen if kids don’t get their cerebral palsy treated early. Physical therapy could help them build muscle and gain more control over their movement.

Speech and Communication Symptoms

Muscle control issues that develop due to CP can affect speech and communication. According to research from Developmental Neurorehabilitation, up to 80% of children with CP have communication impairments.

Speech-related symptoms may include:

• Difficulty forming words
• Monotone or nasal voice
• Slurred or slow speech
• Trouble controlling mouth and tongue movements

Recurring speech therapy may help your child improve their communication and quality of life. Speech therapists teach kids how to hone their articulation, pronunciation, and word comprehension, among other essential conversational skills.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

There are five types of cerebral palsy that affect the brain differently. Children develop them based on the part of their brain that was damaged before, during, or after birth.

There are several types of cerebral palsy, including:

• Ataxic cerebral palsy
• Dyskinetic cerebral palsy
• Hypotonic cerebral palsy
• Spastic cerebral palsy
• Mixed cerebral palsy

Numerous tests are available to determine which type of CP your child has. Your doctor may schedule brain scans, an electroencephalogram (EEG) to evaluate seizures, laboratory tests, or tests conducted by specialists.

If your baby was diagnosed with any type of cerebral palsy, compensation could be available to cover treatments and manage their quality of life. Get a free case review now.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic cerebral palsy affects balance and coordination. Children with this kind of CP may have trouble with precise movements. Walking can appear unsteady without ongoing therapy.

Dyskinetic or Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy causes twisting, repetitive movements. Athetoid is a type of dyskinetic CP that causes slow, writhing movements. They look similar, but your child’s doctor can provide clarity with diagnostic testing.

Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy

Hypotonic cerebral palsy is a rare form of CP that causes extremely low muscle tone. Kids with this kind of CP may have poor reflexes, floppy muscles, and weak joints.

Brain injuries before, during, or after birth can cause this type of CP. Kids with hypotonic cerebral palsy may require lifelong therapy to help manage issues with walking, standing, and sitting. Difficulties chewing, swallowing, talking, and breathing could also be present.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type, affecting 77% of kids with CP. It causes stiff muscles and limited movement. A child’s spasticity affects their muscle tone and can lead to contractures.

This kind of cerebral palsy may affect one side of the body or both. Kids may develop spastic hemiplegia (muscle stiffness on one side of the body), spastic diplegia (stiffness in the legs), or spastic quadriplegia (weakness in all 4 limbs).

Mixed Cerebral Palsy

Mixed cerebral palsy involves symptoms from more than one type. A child may have spastic and dyskinetic symptoms because they often occur together.

Brain damage during childbirth may affect multiple areas of the brain, which contributes to mixed CP. If your child is struggling with coordination and muscle movement, diagnostic testing can provide clarity.

Diagnosing Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy can be accurately diagnosed when a child is 3-6 months old. The diagnosis might involve observing movement patterns and developmental progress.

Doctors may also use diagnostic tests, including:

• Developmental assessments
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Physical exams

Early diagnosis helps kids access treatment and support faster. Mothers or caregivers who notice symptoms of cerebral palsy should get medical attention for their child right away.

Cerebral Palsy Treatment and Early Intervention

While there’s no cure for cerebral palsy, numerous treatments are available to improve your child’s comfort and development. Their doctor can recommend specific treatment options based on their CP diagnosis and symptom severity.

Common treatments for CP include:

• Assistive devices and mobility equipment
• Different types of surgeries to help with muscle stiffness
• Home modifications and accessibility needs
• Medications to manage muscle stiffness
• Occupational therapy to support daily skills
• Physical therapy to improve strength and movement
• Speech therapy for communication and feeding

Early intervention can help manage symptoms, improve outcomes, and support a child’s development. Her Case Matters is here to connect you with resources and explore potential compensation options to help cover your child’s treatments.

Call (877) 640-6101 now to get started.

Assistive Devices and Mobility Equipment

Many people with cerebral palsy use assistive tools or technologies to help with mobility, independence, and quality of life.

Examples of commonly used CP assistive devices include:

• Braces
• Communication technologies
• Walkers
• Wheelchairs

While many of these devices are incredibly helpful for kids with CP, they can also be expensive — and insurance may not cover all of the costs. However, legal action can help cover some of the costs of these devices and relieve financial stress on your family.

Cerebral Palsy Lawsuits and Settlements

A cerebral palsy diagnosis changes a family’s life forever. Many children with cerebral palsy require lifelong medical care, therapy, assistive devices, and support services.

When CP is linked to medical negligence, families may be able to file a lawsuit. Cerebral palsy lawsuits are not about assigning blame. They are about securing the resources a child needs to live with dignity and support.

Notable cerebral palsy lawsuit settlements and verdicts include:

• $10 million to the parents of a child who developed cerebral palsy after staff improperly administered Pitocin®
• $15 million to the family of a young girl who suffered brain damage during delivery
• More than $15 million to a family who claimed mismanagement of prenatal care caused their son’s cerebral palsy

Our partner law firm has secured over $1.1 billion for families who have experienced birth injuries. Legal action can offer a path forward when a child’s needs will last a lifetime.

Get a free case review to see if you may qualify.

Help for Families Facing a Cerebral Palsy Birth Diagnosis

Cerebral palsy can feel daunting, especially for mothers and families just receiving news of a diagnosis. You expected that your child would be delivered safely and arrive healthy.

At Her Case Matters, we’re here to support you and your family as you navigate uncertainty in the wake of a cerebral palsy diagnosis.

Our dedicated and compassionate team can:

• Listen to your story and review your options
• Connect you with top lawyers and law firms

The attorneys we work with have retrieved more than $1.1 billion to date for families across all 50 states impacted by CP and other birth injuries.

Call (877) 640-6101 or get a free case review now to learn more about your potential legal options and available support.