Cerebral Palsy is caused by injury to the brain and not, as many people think, an illness or disease. Cerebral palsy affects one in 400 children every year and can be caused in a number of ways.
The most common causes of cerebral palsy, often abbreviated to CP, are a lack of oxygen to a baby's brain, blocked blood vessels, infection in the mother, multiple or premature birth and trauma during labour or the birth itself.
Sufferers of the neurological condition will have problems with posture, movement and coordination. There are varying degrees of severity and three different types of cerebral palsy.
Each of these relates to different areas of the brain that has been damaged. Ataxic Cerebral Palsy will result in the sufferer experiencing balance problems, as well as irregular speech and shaky hand movement. Those with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy will display a loss of posture control and may also make unwanted movement. Spastic Cerebral Palsy sufferers may have weak and / or stiff muscles, which is particularly noticeable when pressure is applied. Movement control may also be affected.
Around 10% of cases are caused by birth complications, some of which can be the result of poor obstetric management by a doctor, nurse or midwife. It is these cases where claims can possibly be made for compensation.
Experienced medical negligence solicitors, usually operating on a no win, no fee basis and offering Legal Aid in order to pay for the claim, are best placed to help families who want to pursue a compensation claim.
The solicitor will be able to investigate the circumstances surrounding the claim and determine whether or not there is a case worth pursuing. If there is, they will gather the necessary evidence to build a case against the defendant, whether that is a hospital or individual.
There are likely to be many questions to ask and decisions to make through the course of building a medical negligence case, especially one as sensitive as a cerebral palsy case. The right solicitor with the right experience and expertise will be able to advise a family on the best course of action for them, taking each case individually and on its own merits.
It is therefore important that a family chooses the right solicitor to suit them. The best recommendation is word of mouth from someone who has experience with a particular solicitor. Whether this is someone you know or from the various review sites on the internet, getting opinions is a good idea.
Cost is also a consideration - although many work on a no win, no fee basis, it is worth finding out what percentage of any compensation they will take should the case be successful. Find the level of service, the highest best reputation and the lowest percentage cut you can and you will have found the perfect solicitor for you.
Successful cerebral palsy compensation claims have often been in the millions of pounds and while it is not about the money, claiming compensation can really help out in the care and future of both the sufferer and the carers.
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