Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a disorder or group of disorders which affects how the brain functions.  This is caused by damage to the developing brain, frequently due to hypoxic (lack of oxygen) or traumatic (physical damage) injuries.  There are many different types of cerebral palsy, which are characterized by the location of the damage to the brain and the severity of the damage.  One type of cerebral palsy is choreoathetoid cerebral palsy, which is also known as choreoathetosis.  This type of cerebral palsy is a mix of two more common types of cerebral palsy.  As Oregon choreoathetoid cerebral palsy lawyers, we know how devastating it is for a diagnosis like this.

Choreoathetoid cerebral palsy is a difficult type of CP because it involves two very different movements which can happen one at a time for a sustained period of time, or mixed together.  This creates a great burden in how to treat and manage the symptoms.  Choreoathetoid CP is broken down into its two components:

Athetosis or athetoid, includes the following symptoms:

• Slow, writhing movements that are involuntary;
• Unpredictable and random changes in muscle movement;
• Inability to stand or walk;
• Difficult talking or eating;
• Muscle overflow, or when there is an attempt move one muscle group which causes uncontrolled movement in another muscle group;
• Worsened symptoms with attempts ate controlled movement or improve posture; and
• Other similar symptoms.

Chorea or choreo, includes the following symptoms:

• Irregularly muscle movements;
• Random and jerky movements;
• Rhythmic movements;
• Sudden muscle contractions, usually random;
• Involuntary movements;
• Movements that begin and end abruptly and unpredictably;
• Brief and random movements; and
• Many other symptoms.

Both athetosis and chorea can occur together, which is how choreoathetoid cerebral palsy is classified.

Causes of Choreoathetoid Cerebral Palsy Due to Oregon Birth Injuries 

There are several possible causes of choreoathetoid cerebral palsy which could be the result of birth injuries suffered by Oregon medical malpractice.  While there are possible causes that may be unavoidable due to natural complications in development or genetic predispositions, unfortunately our Oregon choreoathetoid cerebral palsy lawyers have seen many causes of CP due to substandard medical care.

Some of the most common causes of choreoathetoid cerebral palsy due to medical negligence include the following:

• Hypoxic injuries at birth;
• Improper use of extraction tools during delivery;
• Kernicterus or bilirubin buildup in the baby’s body that causes jaundice;
• Improper use of medications or drugs during the labor and delivery process, including pitocin;
• Failing to monitor the mother and baby properly during the labor and delivery process;
• Not identifying an umbilical cord rupture;
• Improperly tracking contractions;
• Failing to diagnose eclampsia or preeclampisa;
• Ignoring the signs for fetal distress;
• Mishandling the baby after birth; and
• Many other symptoms.

Possible Damages in Choreoathetoid CP Cases

In an Oregon choreoathetoid cerebral palsy case due to medical malpractice, a victim and his or her family may be entitled to damages.  In personal injury cases, damages are usually monetary compensation.  There are a wide range of possible damages that a court may award to a family.  These damages are generally to compensation pain and suffering, but also to help provide for the future medical needs, treatment, therapy, and equipment that the injured victim may have.

Some of the most common types of damages that Oregon choreoathetoid cerebral palsy lawyers may be able to obtain include the following:

• Pain and suffering;
• Past medical procedures and treatment;
• Future medical procedures and treatment until the natural life expectancy;
• Medical bills, future and past;
• Medication and prescription costs;
• Occupational therapy costs;
• Physical therapy costs;
• Future surgeries proven to a reasonable degree of medical certainty;
• Adaptive technology and equipment used to help complete daily and customary activities;
• Equipment in the house, vehicle, or for walking;
• Travel costs to specialists that may be to of the area;
• Loss of affection and services for loved ones;
• Caretakers’ compensation for taking time off of work to travel to appointments;
• Skilled nursing care, including in the home;
• Special dietary considerations, if any; and
• Many other costs associated with the care and treatment of a loved one.

Bend/Portland Oregon Choreoathetoid Cerebral Palsy Lawyers

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.  

We handle cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, and Hillsboro.  

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.  

Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.