INFANT MONOPLEGIA CEREBRAL PALSY
When an infant is diagnosed with monoplegia cerebral palsy, it means that the condition seriously affects just one limb. It could be a serious disability of either an arm or a leg however where other limbs are involved to a much lesser extent it may still be referred to using the same term.
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Cause
Infant monoplegia cerebral palsy is usually caused by a lesion in the motor cortex of the brain that is complete or partial resulting to irreparable brain damage. Therapy is commonly recommended to stimulate movement but the chance of fully recovering from the injury is non-existent. Diagnosing this condition requires professional skill to rule out other illnesses including metabolic disorders, brain tumors and hereditary diseases. The condition can mimic the effects of Erbs palsy or brachial plexus palsy which are also birth injuries resulting from damage to nerves located in the neck and shoulder with which it can be confused and initially mis-diagnosed.
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Risk Factors
There are risk factors present around the time of birth that can help in the diagnosis of infant monoplegia cerebral palsy especially if it is due to medical negligence. Among them are oxygen deprivation from prolonged stay in the birth canal, prolapsed umbilical cord, inappropriate use of vacuum extraction or forceps and failure to do a caesarean section when all indicators suggested that one might be necessary.
There are also risk factors pertinent to the mother that could result in infant monoplegia cerebral palsy including the use drugs, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes as well as premature birth and low birth weight.
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Medical Negligence
Caring for children with infant monoplegia cerebral palsy may be difficult as some children require constant attention and prescription drugs to relax stiff muscles. If the affected limb prohibits delicate tasks such as grasping and releasing, the child can become irritable and easily tired. It may be necessary for parents to receive help from professional carers which can be expensive however if this injury has been caused by medical negligence it may be possible to instigate a claim for compensation for both past and future expenses in addition to a sum for pain and suffering.
Whilst no amount of compensation can put right the damage that has been done an award of compensation could help you live a life with some semblance of normalcy. It would certainly ease the financial burden that comes with caring for a disabled child. Legal Aid is available to pursue a medical negligence claim and as it is the child’s income and assets that are assessed by the Legal Services Commission almost all children will qualify for legal Aid with absolutely no parental contribution. Compensation in legally aided cases is always paid in full with no deduction and the law prohibits an award of costs against a legally aided claimant in the event that a claim is lost. The whole procedure is financially risk free for the infant claimant and the parents.