Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Signs of Cerebral Palsy and When to Contact a Birth Injury Attorney in Cleveland

Cerebral palsy affects the brain’s ability to control motor function, and is usually first noticeable in the beginning stages of development. It’s a lifelong disease that can require continual nursing care, which is why it’s so important to consult a birth injury attorney in Cleveland if your child is affected. He or she may require expensive services throughout their adult lives, even long after you yourself have passed on. Spotting the disease early is crucial, allowing your attorney to prepare the best case in order to win a settlement to provide for the care of your child.

Motor Skills

One of the first ways to spot cerebral palsy is through underdeveloped motor skills, especially in the hands and fingers. The child may have difficulty holding onto small objects, such as using scissors or holding a pencil or crayon to write or draw. This especially true for children over 5. Do they have trouble with simple tasks like buttoning their own shirts or opening doors? These are important signs that your child needs to be tested for cerebral palsy.

Rigid Muscles

Children with cerebral palsy also display excessive muscle tone. Their hands may always maintain a fist, or they may walk while keeping their heels still on the floor. The child may develop unusual postures, and movements which are often stiff and rigid. Any similar symptoms are a good reason to contact a birth injury attorney in Cleveland.

Tremors

Children with cerebral palsy may also display involuntary shaking or jerking of the limbs or extremities. This is a sign of ataxic cerebral palsy, often known for its “intention tremors” in which a person experiences trembling simply by thinking of an intended task.

Any one of these signs is a reason to immediately contact your doctor as well as a birth injury attorney in Cleveland. Advocacy must begin immediately, for the sake of your child’s health as well as his or her financial future.