Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a devastating type of birth injury that can create life-long difficulties for both the injured infant and the family that must care for the child. CP is caused by lack of oxygen in the fetal brain before, during, or just after birth. CP can also occur without any obvious incident, when the infant brain fails to develop fully. This may be due to disease, drug use, chemical exposure during pregnancy, or birth defects.

CP results when there is damage or lack of development in the cerebrum, the part of the brain controlling movement, thinking and speech.  Most CP patients have Spastic CP, a form of the disease that causes stiff muscles and exaggerated reflex movements. This form of the disease can be mild or severe.

Another form of the disease, Athetoid CP, takes place in 5% to 10% of patients. They often suffer from involuntary movements affecting the arms, trunk and face. Speech and other activities requiring high levels of motor coordination are affected.

Ataxic CP is the least common form of cerebral palsy. Those who suffer from Ataxic CP are often spared cognitive deficits of the disease, but will still live with lack of balance and problems with depth perception. They have problems with low muscle tone, difficulty walking and tremors.

Children with CP need care throughout their lifetimes. They need special forms of therapy to help them develop into independent individuals whenever possible. Unfortunately, some children will never become self-reliant and will incur lifetime expenses from their injuries.

If your child suffers from CP, it may be the fault of your medical providers. Contact Lamothe Law Firm to discuss your case free of charge. We will help you find the root cause of the injury. If your child was injured because of a caregiver’s negligence, you may be owed compensation to help pay for your child’s lifetime care expenses.