About the Author
Theodore "Ted" Jenkins
I am Ted. I write, therefore I am.
Cerebral palsy is a broad term. Three types of diseases fall under this term. If we classify the word, cerebral means ‘Brain’ and palsy means a physical disorder like uncontrolled movement. Athetiod cerebral palsy is one such form, which is associated with uncontrolled or involuntary movement. Athetoid cerebral palsy is caused by damage to certain parts of the brain, such as, the cerebellum or the basal Ganglia.
Since these parts of the brain, which maintain the coordinated movement of the body parts, Athetoid Cerebral Palsy patients are characterized by slow uncontrolled writhing movements. In most cases they affect the hands, legs and feet, or in some cases muscles of the face and the tongue as well. These movements are elevated during times of stress and disappear totally during sleep. The muscle condition of such patients is weak and hence they have difficulty in walking and grasping on to objects.
About Dysarthia
If a person is affected by Athetoid cerebral palsy involving the face and the tongue, the person may display a drooling or grimacing movement and thrust their tongues out as well. Hence, he or she may have difficulty in swallowing food properly or speaking. This condition is called dysarthria.
This form of cerebral palsy does not get aggravated by age, but people who have normal mental ability and suffer from this disease find it very frustration to lead a normal life. However nowadays you can find many innovations that have made life simpler for these patients as well.
Why you need a lawyer?
If cerebral palsy has occurred during or after the birth of the child, it may be medical negligence that may have led to this preventable condition. There have been cases of manhandled delivery leading to fetal stress and the result is cerebral palsy. Appropriate therapy should also be given during the birth to prevent jaundice or it may lead to cerebral palsy as well.
Costs
You must keep in mind that providing care to such a patient for life may cost you up to one million dollar or more. Hence if you feel that its medical negligence that has led to this condition of your child, you should seek legal action. Seek the advice of an expert lawyer who will not only help you file a strong lawsuit but will also help you with the amount that you must seek as compensation.
Lawsuit details
There are time limitations as well as a statue of limitation, about which you must have complete prior knowledge before you file a lawsuit. To secure a good Athetiod cerebral Palsy lawyer, look for links on the internet or seek help from friends or relatives who may have hired the services of a similar person.
Published by Theodore "Ted" Jenkins on June 27, 2006 02:41 PM
