Cerebral Palsy Attorney in Chicago

Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a diverse group of conditions that all involve permanent movement disorders that affect muscle tone (spasticity or hypotonia), body posture, and muscle weakness or paralysis. Cerebral palsy conditions are due to abnormalities of the developing fetal brain resulting from a variety of causes, including brain injury during labor, often from insufficient blood flow or oxygen deprivation.

The affected child usually has functional limitations, which can range from very mild to profoundly debilitating. The motor dysfunction in CP may or may not be accompanied by other problems, such as intellectual limitations, speech and behavioral difficulties, seizure disorders, and musculoskeletal complications.

While cerebral palsy does not worsen as the brain will not further degenerate, it is a permanent condition that cannot be cured. Children who suffer cerebral palsy often require a lifetime of surgery, therapy, and additional supportive care.

Chicago Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

If your child was born in Cook County with cerebral palsy as the result of a medical professional’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for all of your past and future medical bills, in addition to other damages. It is in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as possible.

Susan E. Loggans is an experienced personal injury lawyer in Chicago who represents clients in communities all over the Chicagoland area, such as Berwyn, Chicago, Elgin, Evanston, Des Plaines, and many others. Our attorney will provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case when you call (312) 201-8600 to take advantage of a free, no-obligation consultation. Susan E. Loggans & Associates handles cases on a contingency fee basis, so you will not pay our firm one cent unless you receive a financial award.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is often classified by the level of severity. Mild cerebral palsy means a child is able to move without assistance and his or her daily activities are not limited, moderate cerebral palsy involves the need for braces, medications, or other assistance to accomplish daily activities, and severe cerebral palsy typically applies to children who require wheelchairs and face major challenges with daily activities.

Cerebral palsy is classified based on the type of body movement and posture problem. Types of cerebral palsy are determined by the areas of the brain that are damaged. Some of the most prominent kinds of CP include, but are not limited to:

Activities for kids with disabilities. Preschool Activities for Children with Special Needs. Boy with with Cerebral Palsy in special chair play with mom at home.

1. Spastic Cerebral Palsy

The most common form of CP, spastic cerebral palsy involves damage to a child’s motor cortex—the principal brain area of the brain involved in motor function. Spastic cerebral palsy can result in possible hemiplegia (weakness on one side of the body), diplegia (weakness in both arms or both legs), monoplegia (weakness of one extremity), quadriplegia (weakness of all extremities), or triplegia (weakness of all but one arm or leg).

2. Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

Dyskinetic involves damage to a child’s basal ganglia, the set of interconnected nuclei in the forebrain that plays an important role in muscle coordination and movement. Dyskinetic CP is separated further into two different groups: athetoid cerebral palsy involving involuntary movement—usually in the arms, legs, and hands—and dystonia/dystonic cerebral palsy, which usually results in a person’s body and neck being held in a fixed, uncomfortable position.

3. Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic CP involves damage to a person’s cerebellum, which controls balance and coordination. It is relatively rare and typically involves tremors and shaky movements.

4. Mixed Cerebral Palsy

Mixed CP cases involve damage to multiple parts of the brain. Children in such cases may exhibit symptoms of multiple types of cerebral palsy.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

The exact causes of cerebral palsy are not always immediately clear. While certain cases are congenital and conditions develop because of a variety of conditions, other cases involve the negligence of medical professionals.

Common types of medical malpractice that can cause children to be born with cerebral palsy include, but are not limited to:

  • Failure to detect or properly treat maternal infections.
  • Delay in performing or failure to perform medically necessary cesarean section (C-section).
  • Failure to monitor fetal heart rate before and during labor and birth.
  • Improper use of forceps, vacuums, or other medical equipment and birth-assisting tools.
  • Failure to detect prolapsed umbilical cord.

A kid with Cerebral Palsy stretches out their arms over a foam ball and mat

Cook County Cerebral Palsy Resources

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Seguin of Greater Chicago

UCP Seguin is a registered 501(c)(3) charity licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). It is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Visit this website to learn more about UCP Seguin’s mission, history, and strategic plan.

Cerebral Palsy Research Registry (CPRR)

The CPRR identifies itself as “a multi-institutional collaborative effort whose primary mission is to improve our understanding of cerebral palsy.” It includes representatives from Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and the University of Chicago. Use this website to learn more about research studies, find answers to frequently asked questions, and access previous newsletters.

Cure CP

Cure CP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to funding the support of cerebral palsy research. On this website, you can read studies supported by Cure CP and find answers to frequently asked questions. You can also find information about upcoming events, read recent news and articles, and find stories of children who have participated in clinical trials co-funded by Cure CP.

Susan Loggans Law

Was your child born with cerebral palsy in northern Illinois? You will want to contact Susan E. Loggans & Associates for help holding all negligent parties accountable. Susan Loggans was previously on the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago, Board of Directors and has been fighting for the rights of those suffering from CP in both the legal and medical fields.

Chicago personal injury attorney Susan E. Loggans fights for families in Burbank, Oak Forest, Elmhurst, Park Ridge, Calumet City, and several other nearby communities in and around Cook County. Call (312) 201-8600 or complete an online contact form bel0w to have our lawyer review your case and discuss all of your legal options during a free initial consultation.