Cerebral palsy — commonly known as CP — is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It occurs in two to three out of every 1,000 patients. According to the organization, it is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles.
There are several types of CP, including:
- Spastic Cerebral Palsy
This is the most common type of CP and affects about 80% of people with CP. These CP patients have increased muscle tone and their muscles are often stiff, which causes their movements to be awkward and can make walking difficult and cause developmental and intellectual difficulties. - Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
People with dyskinetic CP cannot control the movement of their hands, arms, feet, and legs, making it difficult to sit and walk. The movements are often slow and writhing or rapid and jerky. Sometimes the face and tongue are affected and the person has a hard time sucking, swallowing, and talking, according to the CDC. - Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
People with ataxic CP have problems with balance and coordination. They might be unsteady when they walk or may have difficulty with quick movements or movements, like writing, that require a lot of control. - Mixed Cerebral Palsy
Some people have symptoms of more than one type of CP. The most common type of mixed CP is spastic-dyskinetic CP, according to the CDC.
Causes of CP
The signs of CP can become visible as early as birth, especially when the condition is caused by medical injury a birth. A birth injury is a type of brain or nerve damage that occurs before, during, or shortly after your child is born. Children that are injured at birth have a high risk of developing conditions related to neurological damage, such as CP.
If Your Child Had a Birth Injury
If your child had a birth injury that resulted in CP, you may meet the requirements to pursue compensation via a lawsuit. This lawsuit will help pay for the medical care your child could need throughout their life and pay to update your house to make it more livable for your child.
If you think you have a case, an experienced attorney can walk you through the process of filing a lawsuit. These attorneys will also help you determine what compensation is available to you.
