Washington Cerebral Palsy Attorneys
Lawyers Help Those with Cerebral Palsy Get Resources in Washington
Children with cerebral palsy will require lifelong assistance and medical treatment. But with the right intervention, they can live active and fulfilling lives. The Washington State Department of Health offers valuable resources to assist people who are struggling with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy may be caused by inadequate medical care that occurs before, during, or after childbirth. It’s crucial for hospitals to hire qualified medical staff and give them everything they need to ensure a safe delivery.
If a hospital, doctor, or someone on the delivery team makes a critical error that harms your child, then they should have to pay for it. Our partner, Alex Wilschke, focuses his practice on children who suffer cerebral palsy at the hands of negligent doctors.
With over 41 years of experience, the Washington medical malpractice lawyers at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. have won record-breaking settlements for our clients.
Call our fir at (877) 433-3906 to learn more today. You won’t owe us anything unless we win you a settlement.
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. It can also impair cognitive ability.
Symptoms of cerebral palsy are non-progressive, which means they won’t grow worse over time. But cerebral palsy will continue to impact a person for the rest of their life.
Signs that your child may be suffering from cerebral palsy include:
- Tremors
- Involuntary movement (dyskinesia)
- Stiff muscles
- Seizure disorder
- Poor balance and coordination (Ataxia)
- Impaired fine motor skills
- Favoring one side of their body
- Difficulty with vision or hearing
- Difficulty with speaking
- Inability to feed themselves or difficulty eating/swallowing
- Difficulty with walking
- Milestone delays, such as crawling, walking, and talking
Link Between Medical Malpractice and Cerebral Palsy Cases
An OB-GYN is a doctor who provides care during pregnancy and childbirth. Your OB-GYN plays a crucial role in the health of your child. During visits with expectant mothers, an OB-GYN monitors the child’s growth and development.
An OB-GYN also oversees the delivery process. If they, or someone on the delivery team, makes a negligent mistake, it may cause cerebral palsy.
Doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, and everyone who cares for your child are responsible for protecting its safety. It’s also important to carefully observe a newborn while it remains in the hospital. If your child is injured due to substandard care, they may be a victim of medical malpractice.
Medical errors that cause cerebral palsy include:
- Prolonged labor
- Delayed C-section
- Lack of oxygen during birth (perinatal asphyxia)
- Untreated infant jaundice (Kernicterus)
- Failure to resuscitate a newborn
- Failure to notice signs of fetal distress
- Failure to diagnose or treat an infection
- Failure to respond to airway obstruction
- Failure to respond to placental abruption
- Failure to respond to newborn dehydration
- Failure to respond to signs of uterine rupture
- Failure to treat umbilical cord tangling or wrapping
Steps to Take if You Suspect Cerebral Palsy from Malpractice in Washington
Understanding the signs of medical negligence is the first step toward building a cerebral palsy malpractice case. A thorough review of medical records and history is essential in recognizing signs of malpractice related to cerebral palsy.
It's important to gather all relevant documents, including prenatal care records, delivery room notes, and pediatric care files. These records can reveal critical details about the mother's health during pregnancy, the baby's condition before, during, and after birth, as well as the actions taken by healthcare providers.
Anomalies such as inconsistent notes, missing information, or deviations from standard care protocols can be indicators of negligence. Evaluating these records can be complex, so it may be beneficial to consult with a legal firm like Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. Our attorneys can assist in interpreting the data and determining if there were any breaches in the expected standard of care that could have contributed to the development of cerebral palsy.
Additionally, maintaining a comprehensive record of your child's medical journey is an essential part of preparing for a cerebral palsy malpractice case. It's important to document every aspect of your child's care, from the earliest doctor visits and all medical appointments to therapies and any interventions attempted. This documentation should include dates, names of healthcare providers, and the treatments provided. You can also keep a detailed journal of your child's progress and any setbacks, as well as all communications with healthcare professionals.
How Your Washington Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Can Help
The lawyers at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. can investigate the circumstances surrounding your child’s injury. Then, we can file a claim against anyone whose negligent actions harmed your child. We have extensive experience in birth injury malpractice. Our Washington cerebral palsy attorneys and the medical experts we consult know how to explain complex medical issues in a way that a jury will understand.
A Washington medical malpractice claim for a child whose cerebral palsy was caused by negligence can include these types of expenses:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Educational resources
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Medical devices
- Wheelchairs and walkers
- Lost income
- Assisted living care
- Pain and suffering
- Communication enhancing technology
At Leventhal Puga Braley P.C., we can investigate the circumstances surrounding your child’s injury. Then, we can file a claim against anyone whose negligent actions harmed your child.
Therapies and Interventions for People With Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy can present significant employment barriers and difficulty in communication and education. But there are interventions and therapies that can make it easier to live with cerebral palsy.
In the classroom, individualized education plans (IEPs) can provide tailored support, ensuring that educational content is accessible despite physical or cognitive challenges. Assistive technology, such as communication boards or speech-generating devices, can also empower individuals with cerebral palsy to communicate more effectively. It's essential for parents, educators, and therapists to collaborate closely to identify the specific needs of the child and to provide the necessary tools and strategies for overcoming these communication and educational barriers.
Physical therapy plays another central role in the lives of individuals with cerebral palsy by enhancing movement capabilities and reducing discomfort. It involves exercises and treatments designed to maintain or improve muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Regular physical therapy sessions can likewise significantly improve an individual's ability to perform daily activities and can contribute to a greater level of independence. Moreover, it often plays a key part in a broader rehabilitative strategy that may also involve occupational and speech therapies.
Occupational therapy is another key component in improving the quality of life for those with cerebral palsy. This form of therapy focuses on enhancing daily living skills, allowing individuals to perform everyday activities with greater independence. Occupational therapists work with clients to develop and improve fine motor skills, such as dressing, eating, and writing. They also help in identifying and using adaptive equipment and technologies that can assist in overcoming daily challenges.
For children, occupational therapy often includes play-based activities designed to teach basic motor skills and problem-solving in an engaging way. For adults, the focus might be on job-related skills and tasks. By fostering self-care and practical life skills, occupational therapy empowers those with cerebral palsy to navigate their daily lives more effectively and with increased confidence.
Speech and language therapy is crucial for individuals with cerebral palsy who face communication challenges. This type of therapy aims to improve speech clarity, language development, and the ability to understand and express language. Speech therapists work on a variety of skills, including articulation, breathing techniques for speech, and alternative communication methods for those with more severe impairments.
Home Accommodations for Cerebral Palsy
Making your home wheelchair-friendly involves several adjustments to ensure ease of movement and accessibility. You can start with doorways – widening them to at least 32 inches allows for smooth entry and exit. If space allows, aim for 36 inches for even more comfortable access. Ramps are essential for overcoming steps, and they should have a gentle incline, ideally a 1:12 slope, which means for every inch of vertical rise, there should be at least 12 inches of ramp run.
Flooring is another important consideration. Non-slip, smooth surfaces can help facilitate wheelchair maneuverability. Thresholds should be flush to the floor to prevent wheel obstruction. Additionally, consider the height and accessibility of light switches, electrical outlets, and thermostats. They should be placed at a convenient height that can be easily reached from a seated position. These adaptations can significantly improve the quality of living for those who use wheelchairs.
Bathroom modifications are crucial for safety and independence in a home adapted for cerebral palsy. An accessible shower with a roll-in design or a low threshold is key. Install grab bars strategically in the shower and near the toilet to provide support and stability. You’ll also want to have a height-adjustable showerhead or one with a flexible hose for easier use.
Non-slip mats can prevent falls on wet surfaces. For the toilet, raised seats or ones with armrests can make transferring easier. If possible, a sink with space to roll a wheelchair underneath is ideal for accessibility. Lever handles for faucets are easier to operate than knobs. These changes not only make the bathroom more functional but also promote dignity and self-reliance for individuals with Cerebral Palsy.
Benefits of Assistive Technology for People with Cerebral Palsy
For individuals with cerebral palsy, communication can be significantly improved with the right technology. Speech-generating devices can give a voice to those with speech difficulties, allowing them to express their needs and thoughts. These devices range from simple picture boards to advanced systems that can be operated via touch, eye movement, or even brain waves.
In addition to speech devices, consider installing environmental control units that allow users to operate electronics and appliances in their home remotely, further promoting independence. Access to smartphones and tablets with specialized apps can also support communication and control, offering a portable and user-friendly solution for many daily interactions.
The right mobility aids significantly enhance the independence for people with cerebral palsy. For example, custom wheelchairs can be fitted with tilt, recline, or stand-up features to aid in pressure relief and circulation. Gait trainers and standing frames can also be valuable for those who can benefit from assisted standing, encouraging weight-bearing activities and promoting bone and muscle development.
Other Locations We Serve
Call Our Washington Medical Malpractice Attorneys for Legal Help
At Leventhal Puga Braley P.C., our birth injury attorneys help parents like you get the resources and assistance needed to take care of your child — because all life is precious.
Call (877) 433-3906 to schedule an initial consultation with our cerebral palsy lawyers in Washington at no charge today.
