How Do You Know If Your Child Has Cerebral Palsy? 3 FAQs Answered by a New Orleans Birth Injury Attorney

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that affects muscular coordination and balance. It is usually the result of a traumatic pregnancy or birth injury.

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cerebral palsy is the number-one motor disability in the United States. Every year, 10,000 babies are born with the condition. That’s 1 in 323 children.

More than 40 percent of those kids have co-occurring epilepsy, and most have a developmental brain abnormality. The CDC has also estimated that caring for a child with cerebral palsy over his or her lifetime could cost up to $1 million.

If your child shows signs of cerebral palsy, contact a birth injury attorney from the The Bowling Law Firm. You may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.

David A. Bowling is a medical malpractice lawyer in Louisiana who will evaluate your case to determine if you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and other damages.

Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation. You can also learn about medical malpractice lawsuits in Louisiana by visiting https://medical-malpractice.usattorneys.com/louisiana/

Read on for the answers to three FAQs about cerebral palsy:

1. How Do You Know If Your Child Has Cerebral Palsy?

There are different kinds of cerebral palsy, each with unique symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of cerebral palsy include:

Problems with general muscle coordination;

Struggling with learning to walk;

Muscle tightness or spasticity;

Difficulty sucking, swallowing or eating;

And involuntary or exaggerated reflexes.

2. What Are the Risk Factors Associated with Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain – usually before or during birth. Some factors may increase the risk of developing the condition such as:

Genetic mutations;

Maternal infections;

A loss of blood to the brain that causes a stroke;

Fetal infections that cause inflammation in the brain;

Or a traumatic head injury.

3. How Can You Prevent Your Child from Developing Cerebral Palsy?

It is impossible to prevent many of the causes of cerebral palsy; however, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk:

Get Your Vaccination Shots: This is the best way to prevent inflammatory infections.

Look after Your Body: Staying healthy during pregnancy will guard against viruses.

See Your Doctor Regularly: He or she will help you prevent premature birth and other factors.

Keep Your Child Safe: Helmets, rails and supervision go a long way for ensuring your child is safe from falls and head injuries.

If your child suffers from symptoms of cerebral palsy, contact a birth injury attorney from the The Bowling Law Firm. David A. Bowling is a New Orleans medical malpractice lawyer who will guide you through the claims process.

Mr. Bowling has more than 30 years of trial experience. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation.