CEREBRAL PALSY GLOSSARY
Glossary of Cerebral Palsy Law Terms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #
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ABO Blood Type Incompatibility: Results when the blood type of the fetus, or developing child, differs from the blood type of the mother. When incompatibility occurs, the mother creates antibodies to defend against the blood type of the infant. These antibodies cross the placenta and begin destroying the fetus' blood cells. The result is that the fetus develops jaundice.
Adjudicate: To settle in a legal setting.
Affidavit: A voluntary statement or declaration of facts that has been written down and confirmed under oath.
Allegation: An assertion, declaration or statement that is made in a pleading by one of the parties to the action and tells what that party intends to prove.
Answer: Written response in a civil case where a defendant admits or denies the allegations contained in the plaintiff's complaint.
Apgar Score: When a child is born, a physician will take note of the baby's activity - including the muscle tone, pulse, grimace, reflex irritability, appearance, skin color, and respiration. These observations are done immediately after birth and then again five minutes later. A score of zero to ten is given. A low score alerts a doctor that immediate care may be necessary and a high score may confirm a healthy baby. Children with cerebral palsy often receive low Apgar scores.
Arbitration: A process for deciding a legal dispute out of court; substitute for an ordinary trial.
Assumption of risk: The defendant's allegation that the injured plaintiff recognized the danger of the plaintiff's course of action but, nonetheless, chose to risk such danger.
Ataxia: Jerky, uncoordinated movements.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: Low muscle tone and poor coordination of movements.
Athetoid Cerebral Palsy: About 10 percent of children have this type of CP. It is caused by damage to the cerebellum or basal ganglia, which are areas of the brain responsible for enabling smooth and controlled body movements. Patients frequently have trouble speaking, eating, reaching, grasping and other movements requiring coordinated movements.
Athetosis: Involuntary movements; uncontrolled movements.