This Blog is the fifth in a series of posts on Cerebral Palsy (CP) and its relation to medical malpractice. To obtain more information on CP, please reference our previous blog posts.

Please do not hesitate to call Wagners if you have further questions about medical malpractice and CP and would like to consult with a lawyer.
Wagners has extensive experience in medical malpractice and complex litigation, and has represented clients throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI. Wagners has been successful in many birth trauma cases, and has obtained for its clients the much needed and lifelong financial support for families with children of CP.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of CP is based on the child’s development over time. Physicians, particularly pediatricians, are responsible for monitoring a child’s developmental advancement and growth benchmarks. A general movements assessment, which involves measuring movements that occur spontaneously among those less than four months of age, is an oft-used method for diagnosing CP.

Further diagnostic tests, such as blood tests and medical imaging, may be used to rule out other possible causes, and abnormal results can help to detect a high likelihood of associated conditions, such as epilepsy and intellectual disability.

Time is of the essence: an early diagnosis of CP is critical for maximizing a child’s ability to expand their capabilities and lifelong potential. An early diagnosis can lead to necessary interventions that will help a child diagnosed with CP master everyday tasks, increase mobility and improve their quality of life. Early interventions will be in the form of whatever therapies and treatments a child may need, and can address movement, cognitive development, social interaction, and behavior.

The family of an individual with CP is likely to incur significant expenses related to the ongoing need for medical care, special education services, developmental assistance, and assisted living. Other factors, including occupational limitations and the indirect costs of lost productivity and wages, also contribute to the overall expense.

If you suspect that medical malpractice may have played a role in your child’s CP, Wagners may be able to seek compensation for the losses incurred by you and your family, including pain and suffering, medical expenses, and past and future treatment costs.