What Is the GMFCS (Gross Motor Function Classification System)?

Did you know that there is a system that can predict how children with cerebral palsy will move and function as continuous growth sets in? Known as the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and widely used by medical professionals, this system helps to evaluate gross motor skills and determine levels of mobility in children with disabilities. 

This classification isn’t just a basic clinical tool; it offers families insights into what they can expect as their child develops. But how does it work and why does it matter for families seeking justice after medical negligence?

In this blog, we will detail the concept of GMFCS, its importance in medical assessment, and its role in securing the care children need.

The Concept of Cerebral Palsy and GMFCS

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affects a person’s ability to move, stay balanced, and maintain posture due to abnormal brain development or damage, usually caused by medical negligence, occurring before or after childbirth. This disorder affects motor functions and causes several degrees of muscle stiffness, weakness, and involuntary movements.  

GMFCS is a clinical tool that looks specifically at movements like sitting, standing, walking, and how a child or adult with cerebral palsy transitions between these positions. It can also predict future changes and developments. 

The GMFCS is divided into five levels, each reflecting various degrees of motor functions:

• Level I: Children can move without assistance. They walk independently in both indoor and outdoor environments and can climb staircases without using their hands as a means of support. However, they may struggle with tasks requiring speed, coordination, and even balance.
• Level II: Similar to Level 1 conditions, children can walk in both indoor and outdoor environments, but may need support with uneven surfaces or longer distances. They may need mobility aids like crutches and railings when outdoors.
• Level III: Children require mobility aids like walkers and crutches regularly, and may rely on a wheelchair for longer distances and uneven surfaces.
• Level IV: In this level, walking ability is severely impaired, and mobility aids are mainly relied on for mobility. However, children will be able to perform very limited standing transfers with assistance.
• Level V: Children have chronic mobility impairment at this level. They cannot sit, stand, or move independently, even with adaptive equipment. Their mobility depends fully on the wheelchair or caregivers.

How is GMFCS used in healthcare?

Doctors, therapists, and specialists rely on GMFCS to assess the motor function of children and categorize their mobility into the five levels explained above, thus guiding them in treatment planning. 

Here are some clear benefits of GMFCS to healthcare professionals:

• Clear description of current motor function: GMFCS categorizes a person’s abilities at different stages of life, including infancy through adulthood, to provide a clear picture of their current physical abilities. For example, it shows if a child can walk independently, requires mobility aids, or depends entirely on wheelchairs.
• Future equipment and mobility needs: Based on GMFCS levels, medical experts can predict future mobility needs, which would help families prepare for changes as the child grows. For instance, a child classified at Level II might not require a wheelchair to move; rather, a walker and crutches may be needed to walk long distances as they age. Similarly, a child at Level III or IV might benefit from assistive devices like a powered wheelchair as their motor function declines. 

Notably, this clinical tool can be used to track progress over time, allowing professionals to adjust care as children grow and improve their quality of life.

Legal Implication for GMFCS in Ontario

The GMFCS is essential in medical malpractice cases in Ontario, particularly those involving birth injuries or negligence that result in cerebral palsy. 

In Ontario, medical malpractice claims are governed by the Health Care Consent Act, 1996 and the Negligence Act, which entails that patients who suffer due to medical negligence receive appropriate compensation. 

The GMFCS can be used to substantiate claims by detailing the severity of impairment and the extent of care and support required. This evidence is instrumental in proving the connection between the alleged negligence and the long-term impacts on the child’s motor functions. 

By integrating GMFCS ratings into claims, a medical negligence lawyer can effectively argue for the necessary resources and compensation, ensuring that families affected by medical malpractice receive the care and financial support they are entitled to under Ontario law.

Your Legal Advocate for GMFCS Cases

In Ontario, medical negligence that leads to cerebral palsy is a serious issue. Research and statistics reveal that a significant number of children in Ontario are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year, with many of these cases stemming from medical errors during birth or early medical care.

For families dealing with such cases, the financial burden is always overwhelming, making it essential to secure fair compensation, hence why a medical negligence lawyer intervention is so important.

A medical negligence lawyer is a law expert specializing in helping people who have been hurt because of mistakes made by doctors or other healthcare providers. 

If your child or family member is diagnosed with cerebral palsy disorders, and you suspect the major cause is a result of medical errors, you have the right to file a claim. While this process is usually complex due to documentation and evidence gathering, using a medical negligence lawyer can help you push such cases forward due to the following:

• Expertise in GMFCS: These specialized lawyers are familiar with the GMFCS and can effectively use this data to demonstrate the severity of the impairment and the long-term needs of the child.
• Reputable Representation: They ensure that all aspects of the child’s needs, such as immediate medical care and ongoing support, are addressed in the claim.
• Skilful Negotiation: A medical negligence lawyer has the negotiation skills necessary to secure a fair settlement or pursue litigation if needed.

Sommers Roth & Elmaleh is the leading law firm in handling GMFCS-related cases. 

Our extensive experience of over 40 years in medical malpractice law and commitment to personalized legal representation makes us an excellent choice for you, your family, and your friends in handling challenging cases such as cerebral palsy and other related medical-error issues.

What makes us reputable and reliable is our dedication—you won’t pay anything unless we win your case.

We have a team of skilled medical negligence lawyers who are ready to advocate on your behalf and use the GMFCS data to secure the justice, compensation, and care your child deserves.

Let Us Fight for Your Child’s Quality of Life

The GMFCS is indeed important for understanding and managing cerebral palsy as your child grows due to its clear picture of motor abilities, prediction of developments, and effective care guides. 

If you believe that medical errors have impacted your child’s condition, then securing expert legal support from a medical negligence lawyer can make all the difference. 

As the leading medical malpractice law firm in Ontario, Sommers Roth & Elmaleh is dedicated to advocating for families affected by medical errors so they receive the compensation and care they deserve.

For more information, call us at 1-844-414-0121 or contact us online for a free consultation with one of our medical negligence lawyers to discover how to work towards a brighter future for your child.