Cerebral Palsy: Does It Worsen with Age?
Cerebral palsy is a health condition or disorder that is caused by unusual brain development, most commonly before a child is even born. It can range from mild to severe, and symptoms typically manifest as speech disorders, difficulty controlling muscle movement, and restrictive learning disabilities. As serious as cerebral palsy is at its onset, is it also degenerative, or does it get worse with age?
Lifelong Complications Caused by Cerebral Palsy
At this point, there is no medical evidence to suggest that cerebral palsy is degenerative. The damage done initially will not spread to other parts of the brain, and it is rare for additional symptoms to manifest due to aging. However, this does not mean that cerebral palsy improves as years go by, and indeed, the lives of those living with cerebral palsy can become more and more difficult.
People with cerebral palsy often require routine treatments and therapy, beginning at a young age and lasting for the rest of their lives. Physical therapy can ease pain and improve muscle coordination. Speech therapy can refine speech or form alternative methods to communicate with others. Occupational and behavioral therapy can help adults with cerebral palsy adjust to social environments in order to find employment or complete a higher education.
When all treatments, therapies, medications, and even surgeries are considered, the cost of living with cerebral palsy can be steep, ranging well into the millions. For this reason and others, it is so important for parents to consider seeking financial compensation if their child is born with cerebral palsy. In many cases, a birth injury caused by a doctor’s mistake or decision to go outside acceptable standards of care is the direct link to a child’s lifelong cerebral palsy.
At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, the firm’s Baltimore birth injury attorneys approach cerebral palsy claims with the seriousness and compassion clients expect and deserve. Using the knowledge gained across 100+ years of cumulative legal experience, the law firm can help you pursue fair and maximized compensation with confidence. You can learn about your choices during a completely free consultation – just contact the firm today to begin.
