Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Ataxic cerebral palsy is caused by a brain injury to the cerebellum before, during, or shortly after birth. The cerebellum is primarily involved in coordinating movement and balance. It also can play a role in cognitive functions, such as language and attention. The cerebellum obtains information from the nervous system and uses it to regulate and coordinate voluntary movements, like walking or throwing a ball. It is also involved in coordinating balance and posture, motor learning, as well as speech. Research on the functions carried out by the cerebellum are ongoing, and there is still a great deal more to learn and discover.

When the cerebellum is injured before, during, or shortly after birth, it is possible that the child develops ataxic cerebral palsy. Ataxic cerebral palsy is the rarest form of cerebral palsy and is associated with balance and coordination problems.

Many people who are diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy are not able to walk and they require significant ongoing assistance and long-term therapy. Medical negligence, also called medical malpractice, can cause ataxic cerebral palsy. If your child has been diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy caused by medical malpractice, you might be entitled to compensation. Contact our Charlotte law firm of Arnold & Smith, PLLC today to schedule a case evaluation.

Ataxic cerebral palsy happens when the cerebellum becomes damaged, usually due to a lack of oxygen to the brain. The symptoms for ataxic cerebral palsy vary, but some of the most common symptoms include the following:

• Unnatural gait
• Poor balance
• Weak muscle tone
• Poor muscle coordination
• Slowness in the ability to complete tasks that use fine motor skills
• Various auditory and visual difficulties

Ataxia means “lack of coordination” or “without order.” Children with ataxic cerebral palsy often have jerky, unstable, imprecise, or clumsy movements. Ataxia can also negatively affect the depth perception and sight of a child.

The location of the damage within the cerebellum influences the region in which the child faces movement challenges. Some people with ataxic cerebral palsy have a difficult time moving their entire body. While in other cases, different parts of the body can be impacted.

When the upper extremities become affected, the child will exhibit shakiness when trying to move their arms and hands. When a child has ataxia that affects his or her hands, they often have a difficult time completing schoolwork, which often requires writing and the use of fine motor skills.

Ataxic cerebral palsy can also target the legs, making walking challenging. Many children with ataxic cerebral palsy are not able to walk independently because of the instability of their feet and legs. Sometimes children need to take a wide stance to compensate for their difficulty standing up.

Children with ataxic cerebral palsy often experience difficulty speaking and eating. Ataxia can also make it hard to focus on objects, especially during schoolwork. Children might speak in an unusual manner, taking pauses between each syllable or with a monotone voice. Many children with severe ataxia are not able to feed themselves and have trouble swallowing.

Many children with ataxic cerebral palsy need around the clock care, and expensive medical treatment. Children with ataxic cerebral palsy often need assistance at school and at home in order to complete basic tasks. They may be unable to work when they become adults due to their disability, and many people with ataxic cerebral palsy need around-the-clock care as adults.

In some cases, ataxic cerebral palsy happens because of the congenital deformation of the cerebellum. In some cases, a doctor’s preventable mistake causes ataxic cerebral palsy. Medical malpractice happens when a doctor’s intentional or unintentional negligence causes an injury to the patient. When a doctor’s mistake causes ataxic cerebral palsy, the injured patient may have a valid claim to compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

An undiagnosed infection in the pregnant mother can cause ataxic cerebral palsy. Additionally, a breech birth that is not properly treated can cause a lack of oxygen to the baby. Placenta Previa or the dislodging of the placenta, head trauma, and fetal strokes can cause ataxic cerebral palsy. Poor maternal health care during pregnancy can also cause ataxic cerebral palsy.

If a doctor or nurse’s negligence caused your child’s ataxic cerebral palsy, you could be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit. It is important to seek help as soon as possible regarding your possible legal claim. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC we provide case evaluations to our clients and determine based on the facts of their case whether or not they have a legal claim. Contact our Charlotte medical malpractice attorney’s today to schedule your initial consultation.