It’s an unfortunate reality for children born with cerebral palsy that they will most likely face a manageable, yet difficult life that will be filled with doctor visits and rehabilitation appointments for an illness that oftentimes was caused by doctor error.

While cerebral palsy treatments can be difficult at times, getting the best help for your child could benefit them greatly. In order to pay for these effective – yet expensive – working with a Pennsylvania cerebral palsy attorney to pursue a monetary settlement from the doctors who caused your child’s ailment may help you afford them.

A recent report from a UK newspaper profiled Wiktoria Mucha, a 9-year-old born with cerebral palsy that limited her ability to move. Throughout her life, she has undergone special treatment four days a week, attended a swimming club, and rode a specially made tricycle in order to help improve her ability to move.

However, with her needs changing as she continues to grow, Wictoria’s parents are attempting to raise $58,000 to fly to the United States and undergo selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery – a rare surgery that reduces spasticity in the body by cutting certain nerves connecting muscles with the spinal cord.

“We can see that our daughter is extremely tired and resigned. She is constantly asking us why other children can walk and she can’t,” said Tomasz Mucha, Wiktoria’s father, according to the Courier. “…Time is important to her as she is a tall girl and she’s growing quickly, so her muscles are becoming more and more tense, which causes deformation of her spine, hips and bones.”

The St. Louis Children’s Hospital – one of the only hospitals that can perform the procedure – explain the benefits of the surgery compared to other treatments include a reduced risk of spinal deformities later in life, reduced hip flexor spasticity, less intense back pain, and earlier resumption of physical therapies and activities.

Regardless of the effectiveness of the procedure, the same medical and travel costs that the Muchas are currently struggling to raise may initially deter some Pennsylvania residents who have a child with cerebral palsy, but do not have the immediate financial means available. However, if your child’s cerebral palsy can be traced to a birth injury caused by a doctor’s error, you may be able to bring a lawsuit and end up with a significant monetary settlement to pay for any of their child’s medical costs.

Pennsylvania families with a child who has cerebral palsy should take every opportunity to give their child medical care that will help them the most without having to worry about how expensive it may be. Contact a Pennsylvania cerebral palsy lawyer and learn more about pursuing a birth injury lawsuit and an eventual settlement.