Philadelphia Cerebral Palsy Lawyers
Cerebral palsy is a chronic condition that can seriously impair a person’s motor skills, reflexes, and coordination. The majority of cases are caused by damage to a fetus’s developing brain during pregnancy, and it is not always easy to determine when or how this damage occurred. However, about 5% of cases are caused by preventable birth injuries.
Every year about 5,000 families across the US receive the painful news that their babies suffer from cerebral palsy. A few of them go on to learn that their children’s health problems could have been avoided if medical staff had taken proper precautions. Philadelphia cerebral palsy attorneys Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., are committed to helping these families. Call 215-238-1130 to learn more.
Cerebral Palsy: Symptoms and Prognosis
The symptoms of cerebral palsy, and the degree to which they affect the patient, can vary widely from one individual to another. Problems that can be caused by this disorder include:
- Persistent muscle spasms
- Poor balance
- Low muscle mass
- Joint or bone deformities
- Poor muscular coordination
Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive disease, meaning the primary condition does not get worse over time. However, there are many secondary conditions that often accompany it, such as mental retardation, epilepsy, and communication disorders.
How a Birth Injury Can Cause Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy got its name from a belief that it is caused by damage to the cerebrum, the most recently evolved and complex part of the human brain. More recent evidence suggests that the damage is actually done to the neural connections between the cerebrum and the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination.
Unfortunately, there are many potential problems during birth that could lead to cerebral palsy. Hypoxia (a lack of oxygen) during birth, bleeding in the brain, and infections can all cause this disorder.
Contact Us
If your child has developed cerebral palsy due to a preventable birth injury, you may be eligible for compensation. To learn more, contact Philadelphia cerebral palsy lawyers Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 215-238-1130.