Louisville Birth Trauma Attorneys

Cerebral Palsy

According to the National Institute of of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the term cerebral palsy refers to any one of a number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination but do not worsen over time. Even though cerebral palsy affects muscle movement, it isn’t caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. It is caused by abnormalities in parts of the brain that control muscle movements. The majority of children with cerebral palsy are born with it, although it may not be detected until months or years later. The early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before a child reaches 3 years of age. www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/cerebral_palsy.htm

Some cases of Cerebral Palsy are profound and require treatment that may last a lifetime. At Moore Law Group, we work to make sure children with cerebral palsy are able to have medical, hospital and nursing care, if needed, during the course of their lifetime. The NIH explains that there are treatments for cerebral palsy victims. The earlier treatment begins the better chance children have of overcoming developmental disabilities or learning new ways to accomplish the tasks that challenge them. While one child with severe cerebral palsy might be unable to walk and need extensive, lifelong care, another with mild cerebral palsy might be only slightly awkward and require no special assistance. Supportive treatments, medications, and surgery can help many individuals improve their motor skills and ability to communicate with the world.

Treatment may include physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, drugs to control seizures, relax muscle spasms, and alleviate pain; surgery to correct anatomical abnormalities or release tight muscles; braces and other orthotic devices; wheelchairs and rolling walkers; and communication aids such as computers with attached voice synthesizers.

There are many resources available to families whose children suffer from Cerebral Palsy including the following:

Brachial Plexus Palsy Injuries

Brachial plexus palsy injuries are known to occur as a result of excess lateral traction at the time of birth. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, many brachial plexus injuries happen during birth:the baby’s shoulders may become impacted during the birth process causing the brachial plexus nerves to stretch or tear. There are four types of brachial plexus injuries: avulsion, the most severe type, in which the nerve is torn from the spine; rupture, in which the nerve is torn but not at the spinal attachment; neuroma, in which the nerve has tried to heal itself but scar tissue has grown around the injury, putting pressure on the injured nerve and preventing the nerve from conducting signals to the muscles; and neuropraxia or stretch, in which the nerve has been damaged but not torn. Neuropraxia is the most common type of brachial plexus injury. Treatment for brachial plexus injuries includes occupational or physical therapy and, in some cases, surgery. The site and type of brachial plexus injury determine the prognosis. www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brachial_plexus/brachial_plexus.htm

Organizations that provide information to families who have children suffering brachial plexus palsy injuries include the following:

If your child has been injured due to medical negligence, contact us today. An attorney will be available to provide you with a free initial evaluation.