Cerebral Palsy Lawyers

A New York CP attorney can help you obtain compensation for medical expenses of your child. Look for a firm that has a large team and has been operating for years.

Cerebral palsy lawyers present a case on behalf of their client, referred to as the plaintiff. They gather evidence, like medical records and evidence from experts, to create an impressive claim.

Diagnosis

The specific signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy are different however, many parents are aware that their child is missing developmental milestones such as walking, talking or crawling around six months of age. They may also have trouble controlling their bowels and bladders. Cerebral Palsy may affect the entire body or just one side.

The signs include a lack muscles, a lack of reflexes, or incoordinated movements. These are a result of brain damage that interferes with the normal flow of nerve impulses between muscles and the brain that result in floppy or stiff muscles.

Doctors will evaluate your child's movements and muscle tone to diagnose CP. They will check for things like whether they feel like their legs are crossed, or if their arms are too stiff or tense. They'll also conduct a variety of medical tests to determine whether the issue is due to cerebral palsy or another disorder like metabolic testing, genetic testing and an electroencephalogram (EEG).

Treatment

Although there isn't a cure for cerebral palsy, there are treatment options to allow people to live the most fulfilling possible lives. The drugs help with seizures and movement. They also treat other problems that are a result of the disorder. For example, spasticity may be treated using medications which relax muscles, or by injecting botulinum toxin type A into the muscles affected. Surgery to correct musculoskeletal problems such as joint deformities and muscle lengthening (orthotics) is also a possibility.

People with cerebral palsy may have other medical conditions like breathing difficulties or a lack of food due to trouble swallowing. Some require a feeding tube to get nutrition. Some people have trouble communicating, and others might exhibit various behavioral issues.

The cerebral palsy is caused by a break in the flow of oxygen to the brain. Baby born after a difficult labor or birth complications that restrict the flow of oxygen are at higher chance of developing this disease. Infections during pregnancy or delivery, such as cytomegalovirus, rubella, herpes simplex virus, and fever can trigger inflammation that harms the developing brain. Fetal strokes can also happen in the event that blood vessel abnormalities or clots stop the brain from receiving enough oxygen.

Legal Representation

Parents of children with CP have to deal with high expenses for medical treatment, therapy and other ongoing costs. A good lawyer can help you seek an equitable amount of compensation for these costs and more.

Choose a firm that has a national presence with birth injury cases and has a track of cases that have been won against medical facilities and negligent doctors as well as corporate insurance firms. When selecting a firm, you must also consider the size of the team, the length of time they have been in business and their history of winning cases.

Lawyers who specialize in cerebral palsy may assist you in filing a claim to recover damages, such as the future and past medical expenses including pain and suffering as well as lost earning potential. The claims must be filed within a certain time frame known as the statute of limitations. This is different from state to state.

Most cerebral palsy attorneys are on a contingency fee which means they do not demand upfront costs from their clients. This lets families pursue justice without worrying about financial difficulties in the course of the lawsuit. In addition, a contingency fee arrangement guarantees that your attorney does not take a charge unless he or she secures the settlement or verdict in your favor.

Settlements

A CP attorney can assist you in determining whether your child's injuries are the result of medical negligence. This will require proving that the medical professional at fault or other entity was obligated to you to exercise reasonable care, but violated the duty and directly caused your child's CP. The next step is to prove damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, pain and discomfort.

Your CP lawyer will gather evidence, such as expert testimony and written documents, after filing a lawsuit to build a strong case. The defendant may offer the possibility of settling to avoid trial. Your lawyer will negotiate a fair amount on your behalf.

Finding a skilled cerebral palsy lawyer can drastically speed up the process of filing a lawsuit and increase your chances of receiving financial compensation. Search for a law firm with experience in medical malpractice cases and a track record of securing significant verdicts. Ask potential attorneys for evidence of their experience, and how many clients that they have represented. Take into consideration the size of the team and how long the firm has been in existence.

Trials

Cerebral Palsy lawyers manage all legalities involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit to help families get compensation for the emotional and physical injuries their child has sustained. This can include paying for the cost of therapies that can provide children with a better quality of life and help them realize their full potential.

In the event of a settlement, cerebral palsy lawyers will bargain with responsible parties as well as insurance companies to obtain the payout. This process may involve written documentation and expert testimony, witness interviews, and more. A third-party mediator can be called in to assist. If the lawyer has crafted a strong enough case, they will likely convince the defendant to offer an agreement. This is the most desirable result since it avoids the necessity of a trial which could take years.

A New York City lawyer will help you hold nurses and doctors accountable for mistakes that were made during difficult births. If the doctor's errors caused your child to suffer from a preventable cerebral palsy injury the doctor is liable for their carelessness.