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What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a disability resulting from damage to the brain before, during and up to two years after birth. It involves the loss of movement or other nerve function. The disorder is non-progressive - it does not worsen or improve with time.

There are approximately 550,000 persons in the United States with cerebral palsy and 9,750 new cases are diagnosed every year. According to the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) organization, 20% of cerebral palsy cases occurred during birth (perinatal).

Causes of cerebral palsy include:

• Brain damage in the first few months of life
• Brain infections (meningitis or encephalitis)
• Head injuries from accidents, falls, child abuse

Common signs of cerebral palsy include:

• Lack of muscle coordination (ataxia)
• Stiff or tight muscles (spasticity)
• Walking with one foot
• Leg dragging
• Walking on toes
• Crouched gait
• Scissored gait
• Stiff or floppy muscle tone

There is no cure for cerebral palsy but treatment can improve quality of life and help children overcome their disabilities.

Treatment options include:

• Physical and occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Drugs to control seizures and relax spasms
• Surgery to correct anatomical abnormalities
• Surgery to release muscles
• Braces/orthotic devices
• Wheelchairs to increase mobility
• Communication aids with voice synthesizers

The prognosis of individuals with cerebral palsy varies according to how severe their case is - one child may be able to walk, but experience a gait problem, while another may be wheelchair bound.

If your child has cerebral palsy and it may have been caused by the negligence of another party, seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in cerebral palsy and birth injuries.

Contact the Law Office of Kiley Law Group today for a FREE EVALUATION of your case - 1-800-410-2769.