Indianapolis Cerebral Palsy Lawyers
Cerebral palsy, or CP, is the name given to a group of disorders that cause impairments in movement and coordination. These conditions are non-progressive, meaning that they will not worsen over time, and non-contagious, meaning that they cannot be transmitted from one individual to another.
Although these disorders will not worsen over time, there is, unfortunately, no cure. As such, a person diagnosed with cerebral palsy will have the disease for the remainder of his or her life. There are some treatment options available that can help reduce a person’s symptoms and discomfort, but these are often expensive and again, are not a cure for CP.
One study conducted in 2003 found that the total cost per CP patient (including lost wages) over his or her lifetime is $921,000. When cerebral palsy is caused by the negligent actions of a medical professional, it is unfair for the victim and his or her family to have to cover these incredible costs by themselves.
The Indianapolis cerebral palsy attorneys of Hankey Marks & Crider will work with you and your family and will do everything possible to help you receive the compensation you deserve from the individuals responsible for your child’s birth injury.
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe different disorders that affect the balance, movement, and posture of the body. Cerebral palsy can affect any part of the brain that controls muscle tone and activity. Signs of cerebral palsy are usually more evident during the first few years of a child’s development. Since it is the paralysis of brain coordination and controlling functions, children may exhibit an inability to perform a series of bodily functions.
Some children may experience jerky movements in different parts of their body. Jerky movements can occur in the limbs, head, and facial features. Difficulty breathing is common; many parents have reported short, deep breaths on a regular basis from their children. Since cerebral palsy may also affect the back muscles, children may also have problems with their posture.
One of the most obvious signs of cerebral palsy is difficulty balancing. This results in an umbrella of other problems including difficulty walking, talking, and crawling. Victims may also be unable to coordinate the direction of their limbs, resulting in jerky movements. The stiffness of the muscles brought on by cerebral palsy will also leave the muscles unable to move smoothly.
Other side effects of cerebral palsy include minor or severe mental retardation, difficulty learning, vision problems, hearing problems, bladder problems, and other ailments.
Cerebral Palsy: An Early Risk
Sadly, CP affects the most vulnerable and innocent members of our society. Cerebral palsy is classified as a birth disorder, as the majority of CP cases (80%) are the result of injuries sustained either during childbirth or pregnancy.
Medical professionals should be especially careful when dealing with newly-born or unborn children and yet, thousands of birth injuries take place every year that cause serious damage to children who are often unable to fully recover from these injuries.
The Indianapolis cerebral palsy lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider will do everything possible to hold negligent medical professionals accountable for the harm they bring upon innocent children.
Contact Us
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy because of a birth injury, contact the Indianapolis cerebral palsy lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider today at (317) 634-8565.