Michigan Athetosis Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a category of brain disorders that can cause various complications involving speech, posture, and motor skills. Doctors classify CP cases into three groups based on a child’s symptoms – dyskinetic, ataxic, and spastic – each of which results from injury to a different part of the brain.

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy occurs when the basal ganglia are damaged during pregnancy or shortly before, during, or after labor. Basal ganglia are a group of structures found near the center of the brain, and they help control voluntary muscle movement and eye movement.

Doctors further divide dyskinetic CP disorder into three sub-categories:

• Athetosis
• Dystonia
• Chorea

Athetoid cerebral palsy is characterized by slow, involuntary writhing movements that are continuous and made worse by any attempts to move. Children with athetosis have unusual muscle tone variety, with affected muscles being either excessively floppy or stiff. This may make it difficult to maintain a certain posture or to manipulate the hands in a specific manner. Other symptoms and characteristics of athetoid CP include:

• The uncontrollable, jerky, and seemingly random movement of the hands and legs, occasionally affecting the whole body
• The appearance of restlessness
• Difficulty sitting still unless completely relaxed
• Worsening symptoms during periods of heightened stress or anxiety
• Trouble holding small objects, such as pencils or silverware

Athetoid CP can also affect facial muscles. Children may have a hard time controlling their lips and tongue, resulting in difficulties speaking, excessive drooling, and facial tics.

Consult With a Compassionate and Knowledgeable Medical Malpractice Attorney

If your child has athetoid cerebral palsy or suffers from other severe disorders, his or her condition may be due to the negligence of a medical professional.

At the Michigan medical malpractice law firm of Sommers Schwartz, we proudly represent families who have fallen victim to a doctor’s negligence. Our team of dedicated personal injury lawyers is regarded as an authority in birth-related injury lawsuits across the United States. To schedule a free consultation, call 800-783-0989.