If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you may be wondering if it was caused by medical negligence. The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers can help you get the answers you need and the compensation your family deserves. We are a team of experienced Chicago medical malpractice lawyers who have helped families in similar situations get justice.
Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that can be caused by many things, including medical negligence. If your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by the careless or negligent actions of a doctor or other medical professional, you have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
At The Kryder Law Group, LLC, we have the experience and resources to investigate your child’s case and build a strong argument for compensation. We will work tirelessly to get you the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago cerebral palsy lawyer from our firm. We will review your case and explain your legal options.
In this Article
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. It can also cause problems with vision, hearing, speech, and learning. Like other neurological disorders, cerebral palsy is not curable, but it can be managed with treatments that can improve the quality of life for those affected.
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
There are many different risk factors for cerebral palsy, and it can be caused by many things, including:
Problems with the baby’s developing brain or a brain injury
Premature birth
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it is important to understand that there may be more than one cause. In some cases, the condition is caused by multiple factors.
Types of CP
The Centers for Disease Disease Control and Prevention describes the types of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is classified into four types based on which areas of the brain are affected:
Poor balance and coordination (Ataxic Cerebral Palsy)
A combination of the above (Mixed CP)
Spastic Cerebral Palsy
This is the most common type of CP, accounting for about 80 percent of all cases. It is caused by damage to the motor cortex of the brain, which controls muscle movement. This type of CP can cause stiff muscles and tightness in the muscles, as well as problems with balance and coordination. This types of CP is described by which types of the body are affected and includes: spastic diplegia/diparesis, spastic hemiplegia/hemiparesis, and spastic quadriplegia/quadriparesis.
Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
People with dyskinetic CP often have trouble controlling the muscles in their extremities, which makes activities like sitting and walking difficult. The movements can be unpredictable and sporadic, ranging from slow and writhing to rapid and jerky. Not only can a person with dyskinetic CP have trouble talking and swallowing, but their tongue and face may also be affected. Additionally, the muscle tone of someone with this type of CP varies greatly day-to-day, or even within the span of 24 hours.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Ataxic CP affects an individual’s equilibrium and ability to coordinate movements. This can manifest in symptoms such as unsteadiness while walking, difficulties with precise motions (e.g., writing), or issues controlling particular limbs when reaching for items.
Mixed Cerebral Palsy
It is also possible for some people to have symptoms of more than one type of CP. Spastic-dyskinetic CP is the most common type of mixed CP.
What Are the Signs of CP?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition that affects movement and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to the brain, typically before or during birth. CP can range from mild to severe and no two cases are exactly alike.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), signs of CP usually appear in infants in the first few months of life, but many children are not diagnosed by a developmental screening test until they reach age 2 or later. Symptoms of CP may include:
Delayed developmental milestones – Your child may reach milestones, such as sitting up, rolling over, or crawling, later than other children their age.
Muscle tightness or stiffness – Your child may have muscle tightness or stiffness, and this abnormal muscle tone can make it difficult for them to move.
Muscle weakness – Your child may have muscle weakness, and this movement disorder can affect their ability to perform activities such as sitting up, crawling, or walking.
Impaired movement – Your child may have impaired movement and coordination, which can affect their ability to perform daily activities such as feeding themselves or brushing their teeth.
Examples of Age-Specific Signs of CP
Some age-specific signs of developing cerebral palsy may include the following symptoms. The NIH notes that children who have not developed cerebral palsy may also show some of these signs, so it is important to discuss anything you have observed about your child’s development or any intellectual disability with your child’s health care provider. There are developmental and medical evaluations that can help determine if your child has cerebral palsy.
Signs in Infants Younger than 6 Months Old
Infants less than six months old may have these early signs or developmental delays:
Unable to hold up their head when picked up from lying on their back
The infant may feel stiff or floppy
When picked up, their legs get stiff or their legs may cross
When held, the infant may overextend their neck and back
Signs in Infants Over 6 Months Old
Infants over six months may show signs that they:
Can’t roll over
Can’t bring their hands to their mouth
Struggle to bring their hands together
Reach out with only one hand and hold the other hand in a fist
Signs in Infants Over 10 Months Old
Infants over ten months of age may show signs of abnormal development and the child’s symptoms may include:
Lopsided crawling where they push with one hand and leg while dragging the opposite hand and leg
They do not crawl on all fours and instead scoot around on their buttocks or hop on their knees
They cannot stand even when holding onto something for support
How Medical Negligence Can Cause Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Cerebral palsy can also be caused by medical negligence. If a doctor or other medical professional fails to provide the standard of care that is expected, and this results in a birth injury or other harm to the baby, they can be held liable in cerebral palsy lawsuits. Though no amount of money can undo the damage that has been done, families that file cerebral palsy lawsuits can help hold the negligent party accountable and get compensation needed to care for their child.
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and you suspect that it was caused by medical negligence, contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC today. Our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers can investigate your case and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Examples of Medical Negligence
There are many ways that medical negligence can cause a child to develop cerebral palsy, including:
Failure to properly monitor the mother and baby during pregnancy
Failure to detect and treat an infection in the mother during pregnancy
Failure to properly manage a high-risk pregnancy
Failure to detect and treat problems with the placenta or umbilical cord
Failure to deliver the baby in a timely manner when there are signs of distress
Failure to properly manage labor and delivery
Using excessive force during delivery which causes brain damage
Making errors during a cesarean section delivery
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it is important to understand that there may be more than one cause. In some cases, the condition is caused by multiple factors.
If you suspect medical malpractice or negligence may have been a factor that contributed to your child’s diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP), we can help. The Kryder Law Group, LLC will thoroughly investigate your case and build a strong argument for compensation.
What is Considered Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is any action or lack of action by a medical professional that deviates from the standard of care and causes harm to a patient. To be considered medical malpractice, the act must meet all of the following criteria:
Duty – The medical professional must owe the patient a duty of care. This duty is established when the doctor-patient relationship is formed.
Breach – The medical professional must breach their duty of care. This means that they failed to provide the standard of care that is expected in their field.
Causation – The breach of duty must cause an injury. This means that if the medical professional had not breached their duty, the injury would not have occurred.
Damages – The injury must result in damages, such as pain and suffering or medical expenses.
If you believe that your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical malpractice, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. At the Kryder Law Group, LLC, our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers have extensive experience handling these complex cases. We will thoroughly investigate your case and work tirelessly for the full and fair compensation your family deserves.
Types of Compensation Available in a Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to medical negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for:
Medical expenses
The cost of future medical expenses
Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Examples of Future Medical Care for a Child with CP
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, they will likely need lifelong care. This can include:
Regular Doctor Visits
CP is a lifelong condition that will need to be managed by a doctor. Your child will need regular check-ups to ensure that their condition is being properly managed and to make any necessary changes to their treatment plan.
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy can help your child develop skills and improve their quality of life.
Special Education
Your child may need special education services to help them learn.
Assistive Devices
Your child may need assistive devices such as a wheelchair, walker, or braces.
Home Modifications
You may need to make modifications to your home to make it accessible for your child.
In-home Care Services
Your child may need in-home care services to help with their daily activities.
How to Hold the Negligent Party Accountable
The cost of future medical care can be expensive, but you should not have to bear the burden alone. If your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence, the responsible party should be held accountable. Call today to find out if you have a case.
What to Do if Your Child Has Been Diagnosed with CP
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the first thing you should do is seek medical advice to determine the types of medical care, therapy, or assistive devices that will be most beneficial for your child. You should also consult with a cerebral palsy lawyer to discuss your legal options and whether you may be entitled to compensation.
The Kryder Law Group, LLC represents birth injury victims in cerebral palsy cases and can help your family and your child get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer.
How Can a CP Lawyer Help?
A cerebral palsy diagnosis can be overwhelming, but you are not alone. A cerebral palsy attorney can help by:
Investigating your case – Your attorney will investigate your case to determine if medical negligence played a role in your child’s diagnosis. This will involve reviewing your child’s medical records and talking to experts.
Building a strong argument for compensation – Your attorney will build a strong argument for compensation by gathering evidence, such as medical records and expert testimony, to support your claim.
Negotiating with the insurance company – Your attorney will negotiate with the responsible party’s insurance company to try to reach a settlement agreement. If an agreement cannot be reached, your attorney will take your case to trial.
Protecting your rights – Your attorney will protect your rights throughout the legal process and ensure that you are treated fairly.
The Kryder Law Group, LLC has successfully represented many families in medical negligence cases and we can help you too. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer.
How Much Does a CP Lawyer Cost?
You may be concerned about the cost of hiring a lawyer, but you should not let this deter you from seeking legal help. At The Kryder Law Group, LLC, we represent clients on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will only owe us attorneys’ fees if we are successful in recovering compensation for you. This means that you can have peace of mind knowing that you will not have to pay anything upfront to hire a lawyer and that you will only owe us if we win your case. Call today to discuss your child’s case with a cerebral palsy (CP) lawyer today.
What You Get in a Free Consultation with a CP Lawyer
When you schedule a free consultation with a cerebral palsy attorney at The Kryder Law Group, LLC, you can expect to receive:
A thorough evaluation of your child’s case – We will review your child’s medical records and talk to you about your child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis and prognosis. We will also determine if medical negligence played a role in your child’s condition.
An honest assessment of your legal options – We will explain your legal options and help you decide if filing a cerebral palsy lawsuit is the right decision for your family.
A clear explanation of the legal process – We will explain what to expect from the legal process and how long it may take to resolve your case.
A discussion of what compensation you may be entitled to – We will talk to you about the types of compensation you may be entitled to, such as ongoing medical expenses, long-term medical care, therapy costs, home modifications, and more.
An honest explanation of the costs – We will explain how our contingency fee arrangement works and what you can expect to pay in attorneys’ fees if we are successful in recovering compensation for you.
We represent families that pursue cerebral palsy lawsuits on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will not have to pay anything upfront to hire us and you will only owe us attorneys’ fees if we are successful in recovering compensation for you. Call today to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer.
Contact Us Today
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to medical negligence, contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC today. We are here to help. We will review your case and help you understand your legal options. If we believe you have a case, we will gather evidence and build a strong argument for compensation. We will work tirelessly to get you the full and fair compensation you deserve so that you can focus on your child’s care.
(312) 223-1700 