Cerebral Palsy refers to a group of disorders characterised by damage to a specific area in the brain, causing chronic conditions affecting body and muscle movement. Cerebral Palsy can also cause slowness in learning development, hearing and visual impairment and behavioural problems.

Unfortunately, children do suffer brain injuries during child birth, this can be hereditary or if the mother of child has smoked excessively throughout the pregnancy. However, in a small number of cases the damage to the baby’s brain is caused by medical malpractice.

If you think your child has suffered a lack of oxygen or blood supply to the brain during childbirth and this has been the cause of their neurological disorder then you should consider making a claim. Claiming money for such a traumatic experience can be a difficult process, but there are counsellors and specialists who can help you should you need to talk to someone for your personal mental health or for guidance on your claim.

Medical malpractice during childbirth can include your baby’s heart-rate not being monitored properly, improper use of forceps, incorrect cesarean procedures, and failing to notice the warning signs of a baby in distress. You will need to be able to prove that the medical malpractice was the cause of your child’s condition – this will require extensive research from medical experts and solicitors. All medical records will need to be thoroughly assessed, especially those recorded throughout the pregnancy. You will also need to explain to the medical professionals if you feel you noticed any signs of medical negligence throughout labour – were you left on your own for long periods of time? Was your baby’s heart monitored sufficiently? If you gave birth through forceps or a cesarean, were the procedures carried out correctly?

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy are said to become apparent during the first three years of your child’s life. Symptoms can include slowness in developmental goals, such as learning to crawl, the child favouring one of side of their body causing them to slump on one side, and muscles and joints may appear floppy. If your child is diagnosed with a neurological condition, you will be referred to a paediatrician who will test your child’s reflexes, muscle tone and motor skills – this testing will be used to decipher what type of neurological condition your child has.

A successful claim will help you with the financial support to support you and your child’s condition for the rest of your life. You will have the option to pick the best healthcare around. Children who suffer from neurological conditions like Cerebral Palsy are advised to have a physiotherapist (to help improve movement and coordination), an occupational therapist and educational therapist to help if your child has learning difficulties. Your solicitor will be able to help you find the right counselling and guidance services to help you find the best care for your child.

Unfortunately once a brain injury is established, there’s no way of reversing it. However, there are steps that can be taken to control and treat the condition and improve the child’s motor skills. A successful compensation claim will help you to financially support your child and get you and your family the best support possible.

Clair O\’Hara is writing on behalf of Pearson Hinchcliffe, medical negligence experts in cerebral palsy claims.

Clair O\’Hara is writing on behalf of Pearson Hinchcliffe http://www.ph-medicalnegligence.co.uk/, experts in Cerebral Palsy claims.

Author Bio: Clair O\’Hara is writing on behalf of Pearson Hinchcliffe, medical negligence experts in cerebral palsy claims.

Category: Advice
Keywords: cerebral palsy, cerebral palsy claims, birth injury, pregnancy claims, malpractice