March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, recognized as an important time for individuals, families, and communities impacted by cerebral palsy (CP). This month is dedicated to increasing understanding, promoting acceptance, and advocating for those living with CP.
Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood, affecting a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood, with approximately 1 in 345 children in the United States diagnosed with this condition.
The effects of CP on an individual’s life can vary significantly, ranging from mild to severe physical impairment, and are often accompanied by related conditions such as intellectual disabilities, seizures, and vision, hearing, or speech problems. Raising awareness about cerebral palsy is crucial for early intervention, support, and understanding from the community.
But understanding cerebral palsy is not just about recognizing the physical challenges it presents. It’s also about acknowledging the emotional and financial impact on the affected individual and their family. This makes it essential for families to know the potential causes of CP, the support available to them, and how they can seek justice and compensation if the condition was the result of medical negligence.
How Cerebral Palsy Is Caused
Cerebral palsy can result from a variety of factors that affect the brain’s development before, during, or immediately after birth. One significant cause is medical negligence, which can lead to birth injuries that cause the condition. These injuries might occur due to a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain (asphyxia), premature delivery, C-section delays, or head trauma during labor and delivery. Medical professionals are expected to monitor the baby’s and the mother’s health closely throughout the pregnancy and birth process to prevent or mitigate these types of injuries.
Understanding that your child’s cerebral palsy might have been preventable adds a layer of complexity to the challenges families affected by CP face. It raises questions about what could have been done differently and whether seeking legal recourse is an option. This is where the expertise of specialized legal professionals comes into play, offering a pathway to answers and potentially compensation.
Support for Affected Families
Families affected by cerebral palsy have a range of resources available to them, both public and private. Government programs can offer financial, logistical, and healthcare assistance tailored to children with disabilities. Non-profit programs may provide mobility equipment such as walkers or wheelchairs, medical support, and charitable grants. Special education programs and support groups also provide emotional and logistical support to families navigating the complexities of CP.
During the month of March, you can support the CP community by following these steps:
- Wear green
- Write to government officials to advocate for more research funding
- Donate to charities that provide support to people impacted by cerebral palsy and provide funding for research into treating cerebral palsy more effectively
- Spread awareness of National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day on March 25
- Advocate for accessibility accommodations
- Use the hashtag #GoGreen4CP to share about CP online
Beyond these resources, families might also consider birth injury lawsuits as a means to secure the necessary financial support for their child’s long-term care needs. Compensation from a successful lawsuit can cover medical expenses, ongoing therapy, special education, and assistive devices, among other costs. It can also account for the pain and suffering endured by the child and their family due to their condition, as well as loss of future income if their disability is severe enough to prevent the child from working and becoming independent in the future. Taking legal action can be a daunting prospect, but it is an important avenue for financial support that families should explore.
Beam Legal Team Has Helped Hundreds of Families Affected by CP
At Beam Legal Team, our Chicago cerebral palsy lawyers have dedicated themselves to supporting families affected by CP, particularly when the condition is the result of medical negligence. We’ve helped hundreds of families secure the resources needed for their child’s care and well-being, allowing them to focus on what matters most: the health and happiness of their child.
Our approach involves a detailed investigation of the medical care received, consultation with medical experts, and a compassionate understanding of each family’s unique situation. We know the emotional, physical, and financial toll of CP and are committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive legal support.
If you suspect that medical negligence played a role in your child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis, contact Beam Legal Team today to schedule a free consultation. Let us be your advocate in seeking the compensation necessary to navigate the challenges of cerebral palsy.