Cerebral palsy is often caused by birth injuries and is among the most common motor disabilities diagnosed in children. Individuals with cerebral palsy experience problems controlling their muscles, which leads to struggles with movement, balance and coordination. There are treatments and therapies for cerebral palsy, which can help improve the quality of life for patients. However, there is no cure for cerebral palsy and most treatments can be costly, adding up to millions of dollars over a person’s lifetime.
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Brain damage that occurs during pregnancy or at the time of delivery accounts for a majority of cerebral palsy cases. When the brain is damaged, it changes how the brain develops and coordinates movements, which leads to these symptoms that impact balance, posture and movement. The location and extent of brain damage can affect the severity of the disability a child may experience. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for a child with cerebral palsy to grow and develop to the best of their abilities.
These are the three most common types of cerebral palsy:
Spastic: This is a type of palsy where overly tight muscles make movement difficult.
Dyskinetic: This is when patients’ posture and balance are affected by involuntary or repetitive muscle movements.
Ataxic: This is when areas of the brain that control balance and coordination are more affected.
Treatment Options for Cerebral Palsy
Treatment options for cerebral palsy vary from person to person. Overall, the goal of cerebral palsy treatment is to allow children to grow and develop in the best manner possible, given their limitations. Most children will rely on a combination of medications, therapies and treatments. Here are the three most common types of treatments that are recommended for cerebral palsy patients:
Surgery: As children with cerebral palsy grow, they may have issues with muscles and tendons. Tight muscles can create contractures or a type of abnormal positioning that leads to movement issues and also causes pain. There are a few different surgical procedures that can help children experiencing such issues. For example, muscle or tendon lengthening can release tight muscles to decrease pain and improve movement. Hip surgery or reconstruction can help improve hip mobility. Nerve surgery may be helpful with regard to reducing spasticity and improving the child’s overall range of motion. In some cases, placing a feeding tube can help improve nutrition.
Therapies: Cerebral palsy patients can benefit from both physical and occupational therapy. These types of therapies can help patients walk and also acquire fine motor skills such as using a pencil or a pair of scissors. Children who receive these types of therapies can function at a higher level compared to those who were not able to access therapy earlier in life. Many children with cerebral palsy also benefit from speech and language therapy. In addition, recreation, art and music therapy allow children and adults with cerebral palsy to express themselves in meaningful ways leading to better self-esteem and interpersonal relationships.
Assistive devices: Devices such as powered wheelchairs, braces and canes can help with mobility and significantly improve quality of life for those with cerebral palsy. Some with hearing issues can benefit from cochlear implants as well.
The diagnosis of cerebral palsy for a child can alter the course of his or her family’s life. There are a number of sources of support including healthcare providers, therapists, social workers and educational professionals who can work with children and their families to provide the best care. Caring for a child with physical and developmental disabilities also creates a financial burden on families. If you believe that your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence (carelessness), you may be able to seek compensation by filing a birth injury lawsuit.
Contacting a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
As New York personal injury lawyers, we have seen many instances of cerebral palsy that occur due to medical negligence (carelessness) during labor and delivery. It is the responsibility of medical professionals to monitor the condition of the fetus and the mother and make decisions that reduce or eliminate a risky delivery. If your child has cerebral palsy he or she may be able to receive compensation that helps pay for medical expenses, lost income, cost of therapy, future treatments, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
The experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. One of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
We have seen many cases where New York City Health and Hospital Corporation facilities deliver babies who are born with cerebral palsy or brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) stemming from negligence (carelessness), and/or medical malpractice in the labor and delivery etc. of the children.
The following list identifies some of these hospitals (operated by New York City Health and Hospital Corporation):
• Jacobi Hospital aka Bronx Municipal 1400 Pelham Parkway South Bronx, New York 10461 718-918-5000
• Lincoln Hospital 234 East 149th Street Bronx, New York 10451 718-579-5000
• North Central Bronx Hospital 3424 Kossuth Avenue Bronx, New York 10467 718-519-5000
• Coney Island Hospital 2601 Ocean Parkway Brooklyn, New York 11235 718-616-3000
• Kings County Hospital 451 Clarkson Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11203 718-245-3131
• Woodhull Hospital 760 Broadway Brooklyn, New York 11206 718-963-8000
• Bellevue Hospital 462 First Avenue New York, New York 10016 212-562-5555
• Harlem Hospital 506 Lenox Avenue New York, New York 10037 212-939-1000
• Metropolitan Hospital 1901 First Avenue New York, New York 10029 212-423-6262
• Elmhurst Hospital 79-01 Broadway Elmhurst, New York 11373 718-334-4000
• Queens Hospital Center 82-68 164th Street Jamaica, New York 11432 718-883-3000
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