Costs and Complications of Cerebral Palsy

In terms of birth injuries, cerebral palsy can be caused by forceps, a doctor's failure to treat infections or your healthcare team's failure to monitor the fetus for distress. It can affect your child's mobility, muscle tone and coordination. In some instances, cerebral palsy can also cause mental retardation.

If you have reason to believe medical malpractice caused your child's cerebral palsy, a Louisville birth injury lawyer might be able to help you file a medical malpractice claim.

Complications of Cerebral Palsy

The hallmarks of cerebral palsy, muscle weakness, coordination problems and muscle spasticity, can contribute to complications including:

• Contractures - muscle tissue shortens, bone growth is inhibited and joints become deformed.
• Premature aging - the stress cerebral palsy exacts on the body can lead to medical conditions typically associated with older individuals.
• Post-impairment syndrome - this syndrome results from pain, weakness and fatigue as a result of stress on the body, significant energy required for everyday activities and awkward movements related to muscle problems.
• Osteoarthritis - bone disease occurs when too much pressure is placed on joints.

The costs of raising a child with cerebral palsy can be financially devastating. Lifetime expenses for one person with cerebral palsy are estimated to be close to $1 million. With the help of a Louisville birth injury lawyer, you may be able to seek adequate compensation to help successfully manage your child's condition.

Costs Associated with Cerebral Palsy

Specialists agree that early intervention programs can help alleviate the negative effects of cerebral palsy. These educational programs, which may focus on the child or the entire family, should begin as early as possible because children learn rapidly during their preschool years. The cost for a child who continues an early intervention program until they reach age 18 can range from $80,000 to well over $100,000.

If your child will need the assistance of a wheelchair, this too can be costly because the child will continually outgrow the wheelchair and require replacements. A wheelchair for a child with cerebral palsy can cost from $300 to $1,200, depending on the features.

The most significant cost for the family of a child with cerebral palsy will be medical treatments.

Your child may require:

• multiple orthopedic surgeries for muscle and joint problems;
• Botox injections several times a year for muscle spasticity;
• prescription muscle relaxants and anti-seizure medication;
• physical therapy;
• speech or language therapy;
• psychological treatment; and
• home modifications to allow for wheelchair access.

Those are just some of the expenses associated with cerebral palsy treatment. The childhood years will be the most costly because of your child's growing body and changing needs. If your healthcare provider's negligence leading up to or during birth is to blame for your child's cerebral palsy, do not hesitate to discuss your case with a Louisville birth injury lawyer.

Contacting a Louisville Birth Injury Lawyer

If your child has suffered cerebral palsy because of medical malpractice, you shouldn't have to pay for expensive medical bills that were caused by another person's negligence. A Louisville birth injury lawyer at Gray and White Law can help you handle every aspect of your birth injury claim. If your child has been injured in Kentucky, contact us today for a free evaluation of your case - 1-800-634-8767 or 502-210-8942.