Cerebral palsy claims
- Unfortunately, cerebral palsy can sometimes be as a result of a lack of appropriate skill or care in labour or delivery.
- Caring for a child with cerebral palsy can be challenging not only physically but also emotionally and financially.
- A successful compensation claim will ensure that your child has the care and support they need for the rest of their life.
Cerebral palsy is a movement disorder resulting in a neurological injury or injury to the brain which is said to occur in about 2.1 per 1,000 live births.
It is caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls movement, balance and posture and can result in poor coordination, stiff and weak muscles, and tremors. There may also be problems with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing and speaking. There can also be cognitive impairment. No two cases are the same.
Cerebral palsy can be caused during pregnancy, childbirth or shortly after birth. In some cases the cause can be unknown.
Common causes
- Abnormal brain development
- A genetic cause
- Restricted intrauterine growth
- Prematurity
- Infections during pregnancy
- Events in labour or delivery resulting in a lack of oxygen to the brain
- A neonatal stroke
- Meningitis
- Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia)
- Jaundice
Types of cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is classified by the type of motor impairment which fall under three main types:
- Spastic cerebral palsy where there is muscle stiffness and weakness affecting the range of movement.
- Ataxic cerebral palsy where motor skills can be affected as well as balance and visual and auditory processing.
- Athetoid / Dyskinetic cerebral palsy resulting in mixed muscle tone often with involuntary movements, irregular speech and hearing.
Whilst only a small number of cases are actually caused by a lack of oxygen during birth, unfortunately damage can sometimes result from a lack of all appropriate skill or care in labour or delivery, often due to a failure to intervene in a timely fashion where there is clear evidence of fetal distress. If delivery is delayed, then the baby may be deprived of oxygen resulting in permanent damage to the brain.
We can work with you to help clarify whether failures in the management of your pregnancy and/or delivery had led to the development of cerebral palsy and whether a successful claim can be pursued.
Support to care for your child
Caring for a child with cerebral palsy is inevitably challenging not only physically but also emotionally and financially. It can be a struggle to obtain all appropriate support from Health and Social care. There can often be a failure to meet all of a child’s special needs and delays in the provision of essential equipment, assistance and services.
We recognise the very real difficulties that exist in caring for an injured child. Not least difficulties accessing ongoing medical treatment, care and support, education, therapy and equipment. In cases where liability is resolved, we will always seek interim payments at an early stage to ensure access to such treatment, support and assistance. Our community care team are also here to advise and provide assistance in securing all requisite NHS and Local Authority care and support during the continuance of your claim.
We are also able to offer our clients in an appropriate case a specialist ‘immediate needs assessment’ service.
A successful compensation claim will ensure that your child has the care and support that they need for their lifetime and will frequently include financial provision to cover the cost not only of care but also essential therapies such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy. It can also often help with requirements for assistive technology and equipment, aids and equipment, transport needs, provision for special education and even appropriate accommodation for both your child and the family.
Compensation claims in catastrophic cases can result in awards in excess of £20 million. It is essential however to obtain specialist legal support and advice. For more information please contact Anne Cassidy.
We have offices in Southampton, London, Richmond, Woking, Lymington and Guildford and we operate nationally. Get in touch to discuss your options.
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