Cerebral Palsy in Philadelphia
Athetoid, ataxic and spastic cerebral palsy
The condition known as cerebral palsy actually refers to a number of conditions caused by brain damage that can occur before, during, or after birth. Symptoms of cerebral palsy can appear early in life, but they may not be noticed until early childhood, or even in early teens.
Types of cerebral palsy
There are numerous types of cerebral palsy, classified as such based on the area of the brain that is damaged. The following are common types of this condition:
- Spastic cerebral palsy: This is most common form of cerebral palsy, affecting 70 to 80 percent of patients, and it occurs in the cerebral cortex. Where pairs of muscles normally work in concert, alternately tensing and relaxing to allow normal movement, the muscles of those afflicted with spastic cerebral palsy tense in unison, causing abnormal movements. Spastic cerebral palsy sufferers often experience a lifetime of difficulties due to lack of control in movement.
- Athetoid cerebral palsy: Affecting approximately 25 percent of cerebral palsy patients, this form, also known as dyskenetic cerebral palsy, is caused by damage to the basal ganglia. Symptoms include slow, writhing movements of the hands, feet, arms, or legs, but it can also affect the muscles of the face and tongue. Working as birth injury attorneys in Philadelphia, we have seen how athetoid cerebral palsy afflictions can have a dramatic effect on many lives.
- Ataxic cerebral palsy: This form is caused by damage to the cerebellum, and it affects approximately 5 to 10 percent of people with cerebral palsy. Ataxic cerebral palsy affects movement coordination, and tends to affect balance, causing sufferers to walk or stand with legs wide apart and appear unsteady and shaky. We have seen firsthand how Philadelphia ataxic cerebral palsy victims experience many difficulties throughout life and how compensation costs can improve the quality of life for those afflicted with these problems.
Causes of cerebral palsy
Although the basic cause of any form of cerebral palsy is brain damage, the causes of the brain damage are varied. In many cases, damage can occur due to a condition occurring during pregnancy or due to errors made during delivery. All too often, the condition could have been prevented through proper medical diagnostics and procedures. This is why it is critical to hire Philadelphia cerebral palsy attorneys who retain the best medical specialists to help investigate and if necessary prove these cases in court.
How a Philadelphia cerebral palsy attorney can help
In many cases, cerebral palsy can be prevented with good obstetrical care. When it can be prevented with good obstetrical care and its not, families are left to shoulder the costs of medical care and a lifetime of costs and lost income that resulted from this serious condition. The dedicated and experienced Philadelphia birth injury attorneys at The Duffy Firm provide the compassionate support needed to handle these types of cases and have achieved birth injury settlements of over $20 million for families affected by birth injuries. We have a panel of medical experts to build a strong case and a network of professionals to provide advice and support to help you handle all your child's special needs.
Contact us online today or call us at 215-238-8700. Let's talk about your special situation and determine if our birth injury lawyers in Philadelphia can help make a better life for you and your child.