The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) defines cerebral palsy as a neurological disorder that affects children starting in infancy or early childhood. When a child is injured during delivery, they may develop cerebral palsy as a result of the injury. Some children who catch a bacterial infection during or after delivery may also have cerebral palsy if the infection damages their brain. Although cerebral palsy does not worsen over time, the impediments it does cause can change the course of a family’s life.
In cerebral palsy, parts of the brain that control motor function are damaged, resulting in impaired body movement or poor muscle coordination. The body’s muscles and nerves are usually healthy; the problem is in the part of the brain that sends messages to the muscles and nerves to create movement. In most cases, cerebral palsy can be diagnosed by the time the child is three years old, when it becomes clear the child isn’t moving normally. No two persons with cerebral palsy have exactly the same impairments, but some common symptoms include a lack of muscle coordination, muscles that are too tight or too loose, dragging one foot or leg while walking, or walking on the toes.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy. People with cerebral palsy may benefit from specific therapies to treat their symptoms and medications to help control muscle spasms. Treatment for cerebral palsy can be expensive, as therapy can be life-long.
If your child suffers from cerebral palsy and you believe a doctor’s negligence could be to blame, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced New York cerebral palsy lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP. Our attorneys take on a select number of cases in order to devote to each client the full attention they deserve. For a free and confidential case evaluation, please call our office today.