Many children suffer from cerebral palsy resulting from a birth injury. The term cerebral palsy (or CP) is an umbrella term used to refer to a number of neurological disorders characterized by brain injury or abnormal brain development that causes impaired muscle coordination and body movement.

Different kinds of cerebral palsy

There are several different types of cerebral palsy, including hemiplegic CP (also called spastic CP), dyskinetic CP, and hypotonic CP.

Hemiplegic CP is caused by damage on only one side of the brain and affects only one side of the body, which will develop more slowly and be weaker and often thinner than the other side. The child’s movements may be jerky or spastic. Some children with hemiplegic CP suffer seizures, some develop scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. However, children with hemiplegic CP can usually sit upright, and therapies can help them to walk unassisted.

Dyskinetic CP is caused by damage to the cerebellum or basal ganglia portion of the brain. Children who have this type of CP usually have trouble sitting up straight or walking, difficulty controlling the muscles needed for speech, hyperactivity in the facial and lingual muscles which causes grimacing or drooling, and slow writhing movements in their hands, feet, arms and legs.

Hypotonic CP is believed to be caused by severe brain damage or abnormal brain development at an earlier brain developmental stage than other kinds of CP. This is the rarest form of CP. Children with hypotonic CP have a lack of muscle tone which causes their limbs to be loose and floppy like those of a rag doll. These children have difficulty sitting up right and controlling the movement of their heads.

Litigation can often help parents of children with CP obtain compensation for medical costs

Children with cerebral palsy usually need a lifetime of care, including therapies and special equipment such as wheelchairs. This can incur an enormous financial cost to the child’s parents. But if the cerebral palsy was caused by a birth injury, medical malpractice or medical negligence, litigation can help parents get compensation for these expenses and help them meet their child’s needs. Many parents who have commenced a cerebral palsy lawsuit have been awarded large settlements.

The birth injury lawyers at Balkin & Eisbrouch are experts in the field, with more than 40 years of experience in litigating birth injury and medical malpractice lawsuits. We can guide you through the legal process and help you get the settlement you and your child deserve. If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy due to medical negligence, malpractice, or birth injury, call us for a free consultation to discuss your individual situation and see what we can do for you. There is absolutely no cost to you unless we recover damages for you.