Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic cerebral palsy is the rarest form of cerebral palsy. It affects the whole body and may result in abnormal movements in a child's arms, legs, trunk, and hands. Additional symptoms include problems with precise movements, coordination, and balance. In some cases, a child experiences tremors in one hand while trying to move the other. This may lead to difficulties with basic living tasks like buttoning a shirt or using scissors. Ataxic cerebral palsy may be caused by medical malpractice during the birthing process. If your child has been diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy, and you believe that the condition was caused by medical negligence, you should consult the Baltimore cerebral palsy attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers without delay.

Ataxic cerebral palsy occurs due to damage to the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that controls uninhibited motor function, during or just after birth. The cerebellum regulates commands related to coordination and balance, and it also assists with regard to posture, communication, and motor learning. Some potential causes of ataxic cerebral palsy include an infection while in the womb, a lack of oxygen due to a breech birth or a failure of the placenta, head trauma, or a fetal stroke causing brain hemorrhaging. Certain events may increase the risk of ataxic cerebral palsy, such as poor maternal health.

Ataxic cerebral palsy often requires physical therapy and occupational therapy, which allow a child to become more independent. Physical therapy may include various exercises for strength, flexibility, balance, and gait training, as well as the use of orthotic devices. The purpose of occupational therapy is to help a child with cerebral palsy improve their ability to perform activities of daily living, which may include the use of assistive devices. Speech therapy for communication and swallowing would be necessary in most cases. Medication to control shakiness and tremors may also be necessary.

These costs may be expensive, particularly when they accumulate over a lifetime. If we bring a birth injury lawsuit on your behalf, we would need to establish the standard of care, a breach of the standard by your health care provider before, during, or just after delivery, and proximate (legal) cause. Once liability is established, you likely can recover the full range of economic and noneconomic damages for the harm that your child and you have suffered.

There is no statutory cap or limitation on economic damages in a Maryland birth injury case. These damages include compensation for past, present, and future medical costs, including nursing services, as well as lost income and lost earning ability. There is a cap on noneconomic damages in a birth injury case. These are damages for the injury itself, such as pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. The cap increases by $15,000 each year, and in 2016 it was $770,000.

If your child was diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy, you may need to bring a lawsuit to make sure that your child has the resources to reach their full potential. The lifetime needs for many children diagnosed with cerebral palsy may add up to more than a few million dollars. At Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, our Baltimore cerebral palsy lawyers understand the significant challenges faced by individuals and families dealing with cerebral palsy in Maryland and Washington, D.C. We do not recover any fees or expenses unless we obtain a judgment or settlement in your favor. Call us at (800) 654-1949 or (410) 654-3600, or contact us online for a free consultation with a birth injury attorney.