Chicago Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Attorney

Ataxic cerebral palsy affects muscle coordination, balance, and fine motor skills, making everyday movements difficult for children. In some cases, this condition results from medical negligence during birth. A Chicago ataxic cerebral palsy attorney can help families pursue a cerebral palsy claim to recover financial compensation for medical care and long-term support.

What is Ataxic Cerebral Palsy?

Ataxic cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that affects muscle coordination, balance, and fine motor skills. It is one of the less common types of cerebral palsy, caused by damage to the cerebellum—the part of the brain responsible for movement control.

Children with cerebral palsy diagnosis often have tremors, unsteady walking (ataxic gait), and difficulty with precise movements. Tasks such as writing, buttoning clothing, or using utensils can be challenging. 

Unlike spastic cerebral palsy, which causes muscle stiffness, ataxic CP results in shaky, uncoordinated movements and poor muscle tone.

This condition can affect speech, making it difficult for children to control their voice volume and articulation. Because ataxic cerebral palsy is permanent, children often require lifelong physical therapy, speech therapy, and assistive devices to improve mobility and independence.

If medical negligence contributed to your child’s condition, an experienced birth injury attorney can help you pursue a claim for compensation.

Causes of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic cerebral palsy results from damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for muscle coordination and fine motor skills. Due to various medical and environmental factors, this damage can occur before, during, or after birth. 

In some cases, medical negligence plays a role, such as failing to monitor fetal distress or delaying necessary interventions. Understanding the cause of a cerebral palsy birth injury is critical in determining whether a medical malpractice case is warranted.

Prenatal Factors

Certain complications during pregnancy can lead to abnormal brain development, increasing the risk of ataxic cerebral palsy. These include:

• Maternal infections – Infections such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, and Zika virus can cause brain injury in a developing fetus.
• Maternal health conditions – Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders can impact fetal brain development.
• Genetic abnormalities – Some cases of ataxic cerebral palsy are linked to inherited conditions that affect brain function.
• Placental problems – A poorly functioning placenta can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients, increasing the risk of neurological disorders.
• Toxic exposure – Alcohol, drug use, and certain medications during pregnancy can interfere with fetal brain development.

Perinatal Factors

The perinatal period—just before, during, and after birth—is a critical time for brain development. Several complications during labor and delivery can cause damage leading to ataxic cerebral palsy. These include:

• Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) – If a baby does not get enough oxygen due to a compressed umbilical cord, prolonged labor, or failure to monitor fetal distress, brain cells may be damaged.
• Premature birth – Babies born before 37 weeks are at a higher risk of brain bleeds and injury, which can lead to cerebral palsy.
• Birth trauma – Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors can cause head trauma and contribute to symptoms of cerebral palsy.
• Delayed C-section – If a doctor fails to order an emergency C-section when needed, oxygen deprivation and other complications can lead to lifelong disabilities.

Postnatal Factors

Brain damage leading to ataxic cerebral palsy can also occur after birth due to preventable medical conditions or external factors. Common postnatal causes include:

• Head injuries – Falls, car accidents, or birth injuries from improper newborn handling can result in permanent brain trauma.
• Severe infections – Meningitis and encephalitis can cause inflammation in the brain, leading to neurological disorders and motor impairments.
• Stroke – Blood clots or oxygen deprivation in newborns can cause brain damage, increasing the risk of cerebral palsy cases.
• Untreated jaundice – Severe jaundice can lead to kernicterus, a condition that causes brain injury if not adequately treated.

Medical Malpractice and Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Medical negligence during labor and delivery can lead to brain injury, resulting in ataxic cerebral palsy. Errors such as delaying an emergency C-section or mishandling delivery tools can deprive a baby of oxygen. 

This lack of oxygen can cause permanent neurological damage, affecting muscle coordination and fine motor skills. If health care providers fail to prevent or respond to complications, families may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.

Proving Medical Malpractice

To hold medical professionals accountable in a cerebral palsy lawsuit, families must prove the following elements:

• Duty of care – The doctor, nurse, or hospital had a legal responsibility to provide proper medical treatment.
• Breach of duty – The provider failed to meet accepted medical standards, such as not addressing fetal distress or delaying necessary interventions.
• Causation – The medical negligence directly caused a cerebral palsy birth injury, such as brain damage from oxygen deprivation.
• Damages – The child and family suffered harm, including lifelong medical expenses, lost opportunities, and emotional distress.

Impact of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic cerebral palsy affects multiple aspects of a child’s life, from physical movement to communication and independence. Because it disrupts muscle coordination and fine motor skills, everyday tasks such as walking, writing, and speaking can be difficult. 

Many children require ongoing physical and speech therapy to improve mobility and communication. These challenges can impact education, social interactions, and future independence, placing a significant emotional and financial burden on families. 

Understanding how ataxic cerebral palsy affects different areas of life can help parents and caregivers seek the proper support and resources.

Balance and Coordination Difficulties

Children with ataxic cerebral palsy struggle with muscle coordination, leading to shaky, unsteady movements. The cerebellum, which controls balance and movement, is affected, making it difficult for children to control their bodies. Some common challenges include:

• Unsteady walking (ataxic gait) – Children may walk with a wide stance and struggle with sudden movements.
• Difficulty with fine motor skills – Tasks like writing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils can be frustrating.
• Tremors and involuntary movements – Hand and arm tremors may make it hard to hold objects steady.
• Poor depth perception – Judging distances can be difficult, making activities like climbing stairs or playing sports challenging.

Physical and occupational therapy can help children develop better coordination and adapt to daily challenges. Some may also require assistive devices like walkers or braces to improve stability and mobility.

Speech and Language Impairment

Many children with ataxic cerebral palsy experience speech and language difficulties due to poor control of the muscles used for speaking. This condition, known as dysarthria, can cause:

• Slurred or slow speech
• Difficulty controlling volume and pitch
• Challenges with articulation and pronunciation
• Problems with breath support, making speech sound weak or strained

These speech difficulties can make communication frustrating, leading to social challenges and difficulties in school. Some children may also struggle with language processing, making it harder to form sentences or express thoughts clearly.

Speech therapy is essential for helping children improve their communication skills. Therapists use exercises and adaptive techniques, such as speech-generating devices or sign language, to help children develop alternative ways to express themselves. 

Early intervention can significantly improve a child’s ability to interact with others and gain confidence in social settings.

Impact on Daily Life

The effects of ataxic cerebral palsy extend beyond movement and speech difficulties, impacting many areas of daily life. Common challenges include:

• Education – Children may need special education plans or adaptive tools to assist with writing and reading.
• Social interactions – Difficulties with speech and movement can make playing with peers or participating in group activities challenging.
• Independence – Due to mobility challenges, basic tasks like dressing, eating, and brushing teeth may require assistance.

Many families also face significant medical bills for therapy, specialized education, and home modifications. A Chicago cerebral palsy lawyer can help families seek financial compensation to ensure children with ataxic CP receive the care and resources they need to thrive.

The Role of a Chicago Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

When medical negligence leads to a cerebral palsy birth injury, families often face overwhelming medical and financial challenges. An experienced cerebral palsy attorney plays a vital role in helping families seek monetary compensation to cover medical care, therapy, and long-term support. 

We understand the complexities of medical malpractice lawsuits and the laws surrounding birth injury cases. Proving that medical professionals failed to meet the standard of care requires in-depth legal and medical knowledge. Chicago birth injury lawyers build a strong case by identifying errors, working with medical experts, and gathering the necessary evidence to prove negligence.

A successful cerebral palsy claim requires substantial evidence to prove that a cerebral palsy injury resulted from medical negligence. A skilled birth injury lawyer will:

• Obtain and analyze medical records to find signs of malpractice;
• Work with medical experts to determine if errors caused brain injury;
• Gather financial documentation to calculate medical and long-term care costs;
• Interview witnesses, including health care providers and caregivers.

By building a well-documented case, an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer helps families pursue justice and the compensation they deserve.

Many cerebral palsy cases are resolved through settlements with hospitals and insurance companies. A Chicago medical malpractice lawyer negotiates aggressively to secure a fair settlement that covers medical bills, therapy, and lost future earnings. 

If a fair settlement is not offered, the attorney is prepared to take the case to trial and fight for the child’s future. By working with a dedicated Chicago brain injury attorney, families can focus on their child’s well-being while their legal team pursues the compensation needed for ongoing care and support.

Seeking Compensation for Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Caring for a child with ataxic cerebral palsy can place a significant financial and emotional burden on families. If the condition was caused by medical negligence, a cerebral palsy lawsuit can help recover monetary compensation for medical care, therapy, and other long-term needs. A Chicago cerebral palsy lawyer can help families pursue the support they deserve.

Types of Damages

Families affected by cerebral palsy birth injury may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses – Hospital bills, doctor visits, medications, and ongoing medical care.
• Physical therapy and assistive devices – Costs for rehabilitation, mobility aids, and adaptive equipment.
• Lost future earnings – Compensation for the child’s reduced ability to earn an income in adulthood.
• Pain and suffering – Emotional distress, diminished quality of life, and the challenges of lifelong disability.
• Home modifications and special education costs – Adjustments to improve accessibility and learning accommodations.

Proving Damages

To secure compensation, strong evidence is needed to demonstrate the impact of ataxic cerebral palsy, including:

• Medical records showing the child’s condition, treatment history, and connection to medical malpractice.
• Expert testimony from doctors and specialists explaining how negligence led to brain injury.
• Financial documentation detailing medical bills, therapy costs, and projected lifetime care needs.
• Personal accounts from parents, caregivers, and therapists describing the child’s struggles and long-term challenges.

Book a Free Consultation!

If your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence, you deserve answers and justice. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to helping families secure the compensation needed for medical care, therapy, and long-term support.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation to review your case, explain your legal options, and determine whether you have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs, and we only get paid if we win your case.

Call us at (888) 424–5757 or complete our contact form to schedule your free consultation.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.