CEREBRAL PALSY INFORMATION
This website is provided as a free information source for those who may be looking for basic cerebral palsy information. This website does not contain medical advice or legal advice which should only be obtained from a qualified doctor or lawyer. This website does not recommend any individual medical or legal professionals and does not refer matters on to any medical or legal professionals. None of the information here is intended as an endorsement for any person, association or firm.
The neurological condition called cerebral palsy is also known as static encephalopathy or Littles disease after the Doctor William Little who first described it in medical literature. The condition is characterized by involuntary and uncontrollable movements due to stiffness of the muscles. For more cerebral palsy information please browse the entire website for causes, diagnosis, risk factors and treatments etc.
Cerebral palsy often ensures that the victims and their families suffer from emotional, physical and financial strain. To make matters worse for some sufferers in a small percentage of cases it is caused by medical negligence occurring during before, during or immediately after childbirth. Compensation can be claimed against a doctor, healthcare provider or Hospital Trust if medical negligence is proven.
The condition is caused by damage to the brain which disrupts the ability to control movement and posture and may cause seizures or mental impairment. It may be naturally occurring or may be as a result of medical negligence. Affected children are frequently slow to reach developmental milestones and may show typical symptoms. Cerebral palsy information is available throughout the internet. Just a few of the more authoritative sites are detailed below
- About Cerebral Palsy
- American Cerebral Palsy Information Center
- United Cerebral Palsy
- Cerebral Palsy Sport
Cerebral palsy appears in the first years of life and does not improve with age although it may change its character and whilst treatment can never repair the damage done it can improve quality of life. If you are UK based probably the most detailed cerebral palsy information is to be found on the website operated by Scope which is the national United Kingdom cerebral palsy charity offering advice, information and assistance to those suffering from this condition and their carers.
COMPENSATION HELPLINE 0845 177 0929
Main Categories
There are four main categories of cerebral palsy:
- Spastic is the most common form, affecting 70-80% of patients and the muscles remain in a constant state of increased involuntary reflex.
- Athetoid affects 10-20% of patients and causes involuntary, purposeless movements, especially in the face, arms, and trunk.
- Ataxic affects 5-10% of patients and is characterised by poor muscle tone and altered sense of balance and depth perception, leading to slow, uncoordinated, unsteady and shaky movement.
- Mixed is usually a combination of spasticity and athetoid although any combination can occur.
COMPENSATION HELPLINE 0845 177 0929
Further Classification
Cerebral palsy is further classified according to the number of limbs involved as follows:
- Quadriplegia - all 4 of the limbs are involved
- Diplegia - either both legs or both arms are involved
- Hemiplegia - one side of the body is affected
- Triplegia - 3 limbs are involved
- Monoplegia - 1 limb is affected
COMPENSATION HELPLINE 0845 177 0929
Legal Aid
If you believe or suspect that your childs injury is as a result of negligent medical treatment, you should seek qualified legal advice from a specialist medical negligence solicitor. Legal aid is available to investigate and pursue a claim for medical negligence. Legal Aid is always granted with a nil contribution from the parents as it is the childs income and assets that are considered by the Legal Services Commission when assessing eligibility for public funding of a legal claim. In the event that the claim is lost there is no possibility of a costs award against a legally aided child as this would be unlawful under the current regulations. A legally aided claim on behalf of a child is therefore totally risk free. Similar considerations apply to older mentally disabled victims.