Cerebral palsy (CP) is a birth injury often associated with mobility limitations. However, CP can cause several secondary disabling problems that impact an individual’s life. Associated impairments can include vision and hearing loss, with around 10% to 20% of children having hearing impairments, 10% suffering blindness, and 50% having strabismus, a condition in which the eyes do not align.
If your child has hearing loss or vision issues due to their CP, they may require costly medical treatments, and your child’s quality of life may be affected. At Fieger Law, our Michigan birth injury lawyers can help you file a compensation claim against the provider who caused their condition and help you receive compensation to pay for their cost of living.
Vision and Hearing Loss Associated With CP
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to a developing brain (for example, due to medical negligence during delivery) and primarily affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills. However, the impact of cerebral palsy can extend beyond mobility and often include less talked-about disabilities such as vision and hearing loss.
Cerebral palsy mainly affects the cerebral motor cortex, but in some cases, it may damage areas crucial for sight and hearing, such as periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), an injury to the brain’s white matter. This means that a child with cerebral palsy could experience problems ranging from blurred vision to complete blindness, and slight hearing impairment to total deafness. These serious issues can affect a child’s quality of life and ability to interact with the world around them.
Vision and hearing loss can result in additional communication, learning, and social interaction challenges for a child with cerebral palsy. This may mean the affected children require extra care, support, and resources, which can place a financial strain on many families.
Financial and Emotional Costs of Living With CP-Related Hearing and Vision Loss
Living with CP-related hearing and vision loss can impose significant financial and emotional burdens on your family throughout your child’s life.
The cost of cerebral palsy is substantial, with estimated average lifetime expenses of ranging to as much as a million dollars. Indirect costs, including lost productivity and caregiving expenses, account for approximately 80% of that, with the remaining 20% split between direct medical costs and direct non-medical costs.
However, these figures do not capture the full extent of the financial strain on families with a child with CP-related hearing and vision loss. Families can expect additional expenses like out-of-pocket payments, emergency room visits, and lost wages of family caregivers.
The emotional and social toll on individuals and their families is also immense and cannot be quantified in monetary terms. A child may struggle to recognize faces, focus on objects, pick up auditory cues, and have poor social interaction. The lifelong impact of CP-related hearing and vision loss extends into adulthood, potentially limiting educational and employment opportunities.
You and your child may be eligible for financial restitution to compensate for these challenges if your child’s CP was caused by medical negligence. An experienced birth injury lawyer at Fieger Law can help you navigate Michigan’s complex medical malpractice laws to get the settlement you deserve.
Why Hiring a Skilled Attorney is Vital to Receiving Compensation
Hiring a skilled attorney is vital when seeking compensation for CP-related hearing and vision loss. An experienced lawyer can establish that the CP was caused by a birth injury and fight for adequate compensation.
Proving the connection between the birth injury and the resulting disabilities requires in-depth knowledge of medical and legal complexities. A skilled attorney can help gather evidence like medical records, consult expert witnesses, and navigate the legal process to build a strong case. They understand how insurance companies work, and will negotiate on your behalf to secure maximum compensation.
Your lawyer can also help estimate the amount of compensation your family will need. The calculation should cover current medical expenses as well as future costs of therapy, special education, assistive devices, and potential loss of income as your child grows up.
Our attorneys at Fieger Law have the knowledge, skills, and experience to navigate these challenges. We will guide you through the legal process, advocate for your rights, and tirelessly work to secure the maximum compensation your child deserves.
Seek a Fair Settlement for Your Child’s CP-Related Vision and Hearing Loss
When your child suffers from vision and hearing loss due to their CP, you may feel overwhelmed by the financial and emotional cost. At Fieger Law, we’re committed to ensuring your family gets the compensation it deserves to ensure your child has a high quality of life.
Our legal team can help you file a cerebral palsy lawsuit on behalf of your child. We’ve won millions for families dealing with birth injury cases, and we will use our experience to help you get a fair settlement for your child. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn your legal options.
