Cerebral palsy (CP) is a category of neurological disorders affecting coordination, posture, muscular development, and sensory issues. It is a common cause of disability among children.
CP is often associated with a range of other medical conditions, especially seizures and epilepsy. According to a 2021 study, 40% of people with CP also have epilepsy. Knowing the signs and symptoms of CP and epilepsy can help you recognize them in your child to get them the care they need.
If your child’s health conditions are due to poor medical care, our Chicago cerebral palsy lawyers at Beam Legal Team can hold the providers responsible and help you get financial support through a birth injury claim.
Signs of CP and Epilepsy
Cerebral palsy and epilepsy are co-occurrent, meaning that if your child has one condition, they are at an increased risk of having the other. This can mean an increased risk of complications, higher medical bills, and a reduced quality of life.
Below are the signs and symptoms associated with these conditions to help you recognize them:
| Age of Child | Cerebral Palsy Symptoms | Epilepsy Symptoms |
| Infants (0-1 year) | Muscle stiffness or floppiness, delayed development milestones | Brief blackouts, staring spells, jerking movements of arms and legs |
| Toddlers (1-3 years) | Walking on toes, difficulty with fine motor skills, unusual walking patterns | Frequent seizures, sudden falls, periods of rapid blinking or staring |
| Children (3-8 years) | Increased muscle tone, joint problems, difficulty with coordination | Seizures that may present as staring spells or uncontrolled jerking, changes in awareness |
Medical Negligence and CP
If your child is hurt because of mistakes made during birth, like waiting too long for a C-section or not managing oxygen properly, it can cause brain damage that leads to CP and epilepsy. If these problems happen because the healthcare team didn’t provide the right care, they might be responsible for what happened.
At Beam Legal Team, we can help you seek the following damages for your child’s future needs and your family’s financial and emotional challenges:
- Medical Expenses: Compensation may cover all medical costs related to your child’s CP and epilepsy, including hospital stays, medications, equipment, home modifications, and surgeries.
- Special Education Needs: You can be compensated for the costs of special education, accommodations, or tools needed due to your child’s condition.
- Loss of Wages and Earning Capacity: Compensation can cover lost wages or earning potential due to the need for constant care and attention for your child with CP and epilepsy.
- Pain and Suffering: We pursue damages for both your child’s physical pain and your family’s emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, resulting from the birth injury.
How Our Attorneys at Beam Legal Team Can Help
If you suspect a medical professional’s actions led to your child’s CP, talk to our qualified attorneys at Beam Legal Team. We have the specialized knowledge to investigate your case and determine if medical malpractice occurred. This can involve the following:
- Review Prenatal Records and the Birth Process: We review your prenatal medical records, the procedures followed by your caregivers during labor and delivery, and the medical provider’s actions. We look for deviations from standard medical practices and signs of negligence or inappropriate care.
- Consult Medical Experts: Your attorney can consult with medical experts, such as pediatricians, obstetricians, and neurologists, to strengthen your case. They can help us assess whether your caregivers committed mistakes, made medical errors, or omitted proper treatment.
- Establish a Causation and Damages Link: Our lawyers establish a link between the poor care provided and your child’s condition. Then, we calculate your child’s current and long-term damages to ask for a fair settlement that supports their future needs.
- Represent You in Court: If the provider’s insurers refuse to offer adequate compensation, we aim to reach a fair settlement through negotiation. However, we are prepared to represent you in court. Our attorneys are committed to fighting for your rights and helping your child receive the justice and support they deserve.
Contact Our Cerebral Palsy Lawyers at Beam Legal Team
At Beam Legal Team, we specialize in all types of birth injury cases, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and similar conditions. If you are unsure if your child has a birth injury, we can determine whether a negligent caregiver is responsible and advise you on your legal rights as a victim of medical malpractice.
Our attorneys have the resources to hold the at-fault parties accountable, helping your family receive fair compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation and an initial overview of your options.
