A Cerebral Palsy Attorney is concerned with a group of permanent disorders associated with developmental brain injuries that occur during fetal development, birth, or shortly after birth. A Cerebral Palsy attorney knows that CP is characterized by a disruption of motor skills, with symptoms such as spasticity, paralysis, or seizures. Cerebral palsy is a form of static encephalopathy.

The fact that CP does not get better or worse implies that it is a “condition” (chronic nonprogressive neurological disorder) rather than a “disease”. There is no cure, but therapy has been shown to be helpful in the maintenance of motor functions. Conversely, gait and posture can get worse over time if left untreated. While severity varies widely, cerebral palsy ranks among the most costly congenital conditions to manage.

Cerebral palsy arises while the brain is under development. 80% of all cases occur before the baby reaches 1 month of age, however this disorder can appear within the first 5 years of life.

A person with the disorder may improve somewhat during childhood, if he or she receives extensive care from specialists. While the brain injury is non-progressive, evidence suggests that functional decline occurs in persons with CP in adulthood. Functional decline can encompass decrease in range of motion, decrease or loss of ambulation, and increased pain. In essence, it appears that adults with CP undergo an acelerated aging process compared to their non-disabled peers.

Some individuals with CP will require personal assistant services for all activities of daily living. Some can live semi-independently in the community with support for certain activities, while others may live with complete independence. With the likely need of life-long medical care and the high costs that entails, a competent cerebral palsy attorney should never be ignored.

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