Cerebral Palsy in Ireland
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects body movement, muscle coordination, and balance. It is caused by damage or abnormal development of the brain that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. The condition manifests as a group of permanent movement disorders, ranging from mild to severe.
While there is no formal register of children born with cerebral palsy in Ireland, based on 59,796 births per annum (CSO, 2019) with a CP rate of 1.77 per 1000 births it is estimated by the Central Remedial Clinic that nationally there should be approximately 110 new cases of cerebral palsy in Ireland per year.
Cerebral palsy can result from a baby being starved of oxygen during birth. This injures the brain and can cause physical and intellectual disabilities. Research is ongoing, but it is estimated that as many as 20 per cent of cerebral palsy cases result from mismanagement of the birth process and failure to respond quickly, to signs of trouble.
Many babies affected by birth injuries will require help and assistance for many years, sometimes for life. A successful cerebral palsy legal claim can fund appropriate long-term treatment, rehabilitation and care.
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Frequently asked cerebral palsy claims questions?
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects body movement, muscle coordination, and balance. It is caused by damage or abnormal development of the brain that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. The condition manifests as a group of permanent movement disorders, ranging from mild to severe.
Several factors contribute to the development of cerebral palsy, including:
- Brain Injury During Pregnancy: Infections, maternal health issues, or genetic abnormalities can lead to brain damage in the developing fetus.
- Birth Complications: Oxygen deprivation during delivery, especially in cases of prolonged labour or emergency situations, can result in brain damage.
- Post-Birth Complications: Infections, head injuries, or certain medical conditions that affect the brain after birth such as hyperbilirubinemia can cause or contribute to cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is categorized into different types based on the areas of the body affected and the nature of movement impairment. These include spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, and mixed types. The specific type is determined by the location and extent of brain damage.
Children with cerebral palsy may require help and assistance for many years, sometimes for life, and this is where we can help.
Cerebral palsy can result from a baby being starved of oxygen during birth. This injures the brain and can cause physical and intellectual disabilities. Research is ongoing, but it is estimated that as many as 20 per cent of cerebral palsy cases result from mismanagement of the birth process and failure to act quickly to signs of trouble.
Get in touch with one of our specialist solicitors. We can advise you, at no charge, about whether you have a case that should be investigated.
If you wish to know the costs involved in investigating a medical negligence claim, and what it costs to take a case for your medical negligence injuries, the best and quickest way to do so, is to call our Medical Negligence Solicitors on +353 1 8280 982 or complete our online inquiry form. One of our Medical Negligence Solicitors will respond as soon as possible to discuss your options. We are mindful that you will have already experienced an injury or loss that has been upsetting or even traumatic and we will work with you, to make this process as easy as possible.
The limit on bringing a claim will not be until two years from your child's 18th birthday. There are some exceptions on time limits which we can discuss if you fall outside this period. Also, if at age 20 your child lacks capacity, there is no time limit.
We will get in touch with those responsible for the negligent treatment at an early stage to see if they accept responsibility for the birth injury. If they accept responsibility, we will secure interim compensation payments that can fund immediate and pressing needs, such as professional care, before the final settlement is achieved. If there is dispute about who is responsible for the negligent treatment then we will conduct investigations using highly experienced medico-legal experts (obstetricians, midwives, paediatric neurologists and neuroradiologists) in order to prove the case.
These cases are complex and high value and as such they can take 2-3 years to conclude. This may be because the medico-legal experts we need to instruct have long waiting lists or because your child is too young to be able to properly assess what their needs will be for life. However, we will always work hard to run a case as quickly as we can so you can move on with your life.
We will always try to negotiate cases so they do not go to court. It is very unlikely that your case will go to trial. However, where no admissions are made or where the amount of the award cannot be agreed upon, we will take a case to trial. If this does happen we will advise and support you throughout the process.
We are recognised by legal directories as leaders in this field. We have a track record of obtaining outstanding results in complex obstetric and neonatal cases, often where other solicitors have tried and failed. We are passionate about our work and the difference it makes to people's lives. In fact, Johan Verbruggen, Partner and Head of the Medical Negligence team in Ireland suffered a serious permanent birth injury affecting his arm, and his birth was so traumatic that he very easily could have suffered a brain injury and cerebral palsy.