Dystonic cerebral palsy, also called dystonia, is a form of cerebral palsy featuring involuntary muscle contractions. These contractions cause slow, twisting, repetitive movements, which can result in abnormal postures.
The movements are typically triggered when a child tries to move or when under stress; they usually disappear during sleep. The muscle tone often fluctuates, shifting between loose and rigid
Dystonia can affect a single part of the body or the entire body; it frequently interferes with sitting, standing, and controlling the head and trunk.
What Are Common Causes of Dystonic Cerebral Palsy?
Dystonic cerebral palsy occurs due to injury to the basal ganglia, the cluster of structures deep in the brain that regulate coordination and posture.
The most common sources of dystonia include:
- Oxygen deprivation. A lack of oxygen during labor and delivery can damage the basal ganglia.
- Untreated jaundice. When a newborn’s jaundice goes untreated, bilirubin can build to toxic levels and harm the brain (a condition called “kernicterus”)
Other contributing factors include birth trauma, brain hemorrhage, and excessive force during delivery. Many of these causes are preventable with proper monitoring and timely treatment.
What Are Common Symptoms of Dystonic Cerebral Palsy?
The hallmark of dystonic cerebral palsy is uncontrolled movement. Symptoms vary in severity but commonly include:
- Involuntary twisting and repetitive movements
- Abnormal, sustained postures
- Muscle tone that fluctuates between floppy and stiff
- Difficulty sitting upright or holding the head steady
- Movements that worsen with stress and stop during sleep
- Trouble with speech and clear pronunciation
- Difficulty feeding, swallowing, and managing saliva
The constant movement common in dystonia demands significant energy. Therefore, children may also tire easily.
What Damages Can Your Dystonic Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Help You Recover?
If a preventable birth injury caused your child’s dystonic cerebral palsy, you may be entitled to significant compensation for their losses and yours. This condition may necessitate a lifetime of specialized care. A birth injury claim can account for your child and family’s current medical bills and projected personal and financial costs.
A cerebral palsy lawyer can help you pursue money for the following losses:
- Past and future medical costs, including surgeries and medication
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Mobility aids
- Communication devices
- Adaptive equipment
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Long-term in-home or nursing care
- Special education services
- Your child’s lost earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life
Your attorney will typically work with medical and economic experts to build a life care plan that captures the true lifetime cost of the injury.
Contact an Experienced Houston Birth Injury Lawyer for Help
If you suspect medical negligence caused your child’s condition, contact an experienced cerebral palsy attorney to review your case. Your attorney will:
- Review your child’s prenatal, delivery, and newborn records for signs of negligence
- Determine whether the brain injury was preventable, such as missed fetal distress or untreated jaundice
- Identify every liable party, including the OB-GYN, nurses, and hospital
- Consult medical experts to prove the care fell below the accepted standard
- Establish causation linking the provider’s actions to your child’s condition
- Work with life-care planners and economists to value the lifetime cost of care
- Meet the filing deadlines that apply to birth injury claims
- Negotiate with the insurers and take the case to trial if needed
Hampton & King offer free consultations to help you understand your rights. Call today at (713) 352-7214 to schedule yours.