4 Types of Cerebral Palsy
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows the average prevalence of cerebral palsy is 3.3 children per 1,000 live births and is the most common motor and movement disability of childhood. It is defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) as a medical condition caused by brain damage. Cerebral palsy can cause a range of disabilities, from mild to severe, and will require a proper diagnosis so that the correct treatments and therapies are provided.
Some of the potential issues a child with cerebral palsy may face include:
- Movement and walking disabilities
- Speech difficulties
- Learning disabilities
- Cognitive impairments
- Hearing or vision loss
- Epilepsy
- Emotional and behavioral challenges
- Spinal deformities
- Joint problems
While Cerebral palsy related to genetic abnormalities cannot be prevented, many times, careless medical mistakes can cause brain damage to a fetus during pregnancy or infant during childbirth and lead to cerebral palsy.
Four Types of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy affects over 500,000 people in the U.S. There is no cure for the four types of cerebral palsy.
Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Spastic cerebral palsy accounts for 80 percent of all cases, making it the most common disorder. It causes increased muscle tone and can impact both the upper and lower limbs and various parts of the body, creating awkward movements triggered by the range of spasticity.
- Spastic quadriplegia affects a child’s upper and lower limbs and body. Mobility is often heavily restricted and can also interfere with moderate-to-severe intellectual abilities.
- Spastic diplegia only affects the lower half of the body. Many children born with diplegia can still walk but suffer painful impairments. Hyperactive tendon reflexes cause the need for assistive devices such as walkers and braces.
- Spastic hemiplegia affects one side of the body only, usually the arm and hand more than the leg. Most children born with hemiplegia can walk but do develop an abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis) and experience seizures and delayed speech.
Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
The second most common type of Cerebral palsy is Dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Children with this form have poor posture, experience chronic pain, have difficulty swallowing or talking, and may also have noticeable twisting of their body and unpredictable movements. While intelligence is rarely affected, hyperactivity of the face and tongue muscles makes some children grimace or drool. Dyskinetic children may also have a difficult time sitting straight or walking and have problems hearing, controlling their breathing, and speaking.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Ataxic cerebral palsy is the least common. It causes poor balance, limited coordination, tremors, and shaky movements that are difficult to control. They may also have difficulty making precise movements, such as writing or holding a fork, or a hard time controlling voluntary movement such as reaching for a book or combing their hair, according to NINDS.
Mixed Cerebral Palsy
Mixed cerebral palsy will present symptoms characteristic of two or three of the other types and is the most common.
Negligent Medical Mistakes Can Lead to Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy could be caused by a preventable mistake made during labor or delivery along with other complications that could cause serious, long-term injuries to a child. Medical errors that could have been prevented and may be considered malpractice include:
- Delays in a medical necessary intervention or delivery maneuver that deprived the fetus or baby of oxygen during birth
- Excessive use of forceps or a vacuum extractor
- Failure to order a Cesarean section
- Failure to monitor fetal development or distress
Inadequate treatment of maternal health conditions during pregnancy
If a medical mistake caused cerebral palsy, families need to take legal action to receive the compensation necessary to cover the medical expenses and other damages.
Call Levin & Perconti If a Healthcare Failure Caused Your Child’s Birth Injury
Our attorneys can answer any questions you may have about the cerebral palsy statute of limitations or other deadlines, requirements, and restrictions and advise you whether your case is still timely. If you suspect medical negligence may have contributed to your child’s birth injury or death, please contact Levin & Perconti toll-free at 877-374-1417, or in Chicago at (312) 332-2872 for a FREE consultation.
Successful Cerebral Palsy Cases
$6.5 Million
Settlement
settlement for a young girl who suffered a brain injury during birth, resulting in cerebral palsy, after physicians failed to timely perform a c-section.
$4.5 Million
Settlement
for a child who suffered brain damage causing cerebral palsy as a result of a family practice physician’s failure to perform a timely Caesarean section in the face of fetal distress.
$2.35 Million
Settlement
for a child who suffered severe brain injury and cerebral palsy as the result of a uterine rupture in a vaginal birth after Caesarean (VBAC) delivery that could have been avoided.
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Not only were they so professional but also so caring and thoughtful. It was very difficult going over the facts in our mother's case but they were so compassionate and understanding and allowed us to be with them every step of the way. We were able to sit in on the depositions and we were really able to see how hard they worked on our behalf.
During that time, my family and I suffered the loss of my mother. Mr. Levin and Mr. Perconti were more than just our lawyers. Words can’t really express our gratitude.
They were most patient and responded timely to many questions throughout the entire process. All demonstrated professionalism and extensive knowledge of case and state laws. Their in-depth investigative work uncovered details which were unknown to us and yet sadly confirmed our suspicions. We would recommend the Levin and Perconti Law firm and especially this team.
During that time, my family and I suffered the loss of my mother. Mr. Levin and Mr. Peconti were more than just our lawyers. Words can’t really express our gratitude. My family and I will always be grateful for the compassion that they showed us. I want to thank you for what you did for my family, and for always being there for us.
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Legally Reviewed by
Dov Apfel
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Related Pages
- Birth Injury Lawyer
- Birth Asphyxia
- Brachial Plexus Injury
- Breech Birth Complications
- Cerebral Palsy
- Erb's Palsy
- Gestational Diabetes Misdiagnosis
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
- Neonatal Seizures
- Oxygen Deprivation
- Preeclampsia Misdiagnosis
- Shoulder Dystocia
- Statute of Limitations by State
- Stillbirth Lawsuit
- Umbilical Cord Compression
- Untimely C-Section
- Vacuum Extraction Injury
Notable Results
SETTLEMENT
for the family of a child who suffered brain injury due to lack of oxygen during her birth
SETTLEMENT
for a child who suffered brain damage causing cerebral palsy as a result of a family practice physician's failure to perform a timely C-section
VERDICT
for a child who died as a result of a doctor’s failure to diagnose the mother with an immune disorder while pregnant
Birth Injury Awards
In 2024, Michael Bonamarte, Seth Cardeli, and Cari Silverman won the Trial Excellence award at the Jury Verdict Reporter reception and awards ceremony for their groundbreaking $40 million verdict on behalf of a client who suffered a birth injury. This is the highest ever reported medical malpractice verdict outside of Cook County, IL at the time of reporting and the highest ever verdict in Coles County.
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