What is a cerebral palsy lawsuit?
A cerebral palsy lawsuit is a type of medical malpractice claim filed against the medical professionals that caused your child’s condition.
Health care providers are expected to uphold a standard of care and deliver your child safely. If they do not, they can cause severe injuries that lead to cerebral palsy, a lifelong disability. Negligent doctors can be held legally accountable through a CP lawsuit.
In 2023, a Pennsylvania jury awarded nearly $183 million to the family of a child whose cerebral palsy was linked to a delayed C-section.
Cerebral palsy lawyers strive to make the legal process as stress-free as possible while they fight for maximum compensation.
Cerebral Palsy Guide works with an extensive network of top attorneys who can help families in all 50 states. Our legal partners have secured over $1 billion for preventable birth injuries, including cerebral palsy.
Find out if we can help your family – get a free legal case review right now.
Cerebral palsy lawsuit settlements and verdicts
Cerebral palsy settlements can vary depending on several factors. However, the average settlement for cerebral palsy that should have been prevented is over $1 million.
Payouts from lawsuits are often calculated by the type of CP, severity of the condition, estimated medical costs, and geographical location, since laws may vary by state.
- $10.5 million on behalf of a Missouri family
- $9 million for the family of a 5-year-old in Colorado
- $8.8 million to an Ohio family whose child experienced severe fetal distress
- $8 million for a family in North Carolina
- $7.8 million on behalf of a Florida child with a birth injury
- $6.5 million to a Washington family for oxygen deprivation from delayed delivery
- $6 million in New York for a child who developed CP from untreated jaundice
- $5.6 million on behalf of a child in Utah
- $4.1 million to a New Jersey family for mismanaged fetal distress
- $2.4 million for the family of a child in Massachusetts
- $3.35 million on behalf of a New Hampshire child
- $4 million for a family in Arizona
- $5.5 million on behalf of a child in Oklahoma
- $5.9 million to a family in Texas whose child received delayed medical care
- $7 million for an Illinois family
While cerebral palsy settlement amounts depend on the facts of each case, you may be entitled to a cerebral palsy settlement as well.
Call us right now at (855) 220-1101 or Click to Live Chat to see if you qualify.
Cerebral palsy and medical malpractice
Not all cases of CP lead to negligence claims, as some occur without medical fault. However, many are preventable and result from medical malpractice during childbirth that causes brain damage in newborns.
- Detect and treat maternal infections during pregnancy
- Identify and manage any risk factors before, during, or after delivery
- Perform a medically necessary C-section (cesarean section)
- Respond to signs of fetal distress, like oxygen deprivation
- Treat severe jaundice in a newborn before it causes brain damage
- Use delivery tools properly, such as forceps or vacuum extractors
Families impacted by medical malpractice may be able to sue for cerebral palsy to seek compensation for medical expenses and ongoing care.
Speak with one of our labor and delivery nurses if you believe your child is showing symptoms of cerebral palsy. They can help determine if your child’s condition stems from medical negligence.
Connect with a registered nurse now.
Why file a CP lawsuit?
Through a cerebral palsy lawsuit, you can pursue compensation to help pay for the medical care your child needs. These funds can be used to pay for past and future expenses since most cases of CP require specialized care to manage symptoms throughout a person’s life.
Families of children with special needs often struggle financially, with some reducing work hours or leaving jobs to provide care. Medicaid-dependent families face food insecurity five times more than those with private insurance, according to KFF, a nonprofit research organization.
As of 2025, the estimated lifetime cost of caring for an individual with cerebral palsy is over $1.6 million, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Financial compensation from a cerebral palsy lawsuit can help pay for:
- Assistive devices
- Medications
- Mobility aids
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Special education costs
- Speech therapy
- Surgery
- Transportation equipment
- Other medical expenses
Cerebral palsy lawsuits provide more than financial relief — they can also help your family find a sense of justice. Holding medical professionals accountable for mistakes that led to your child’s condition may prevent similar harm to others.
Cerebral palsy lawsuits also raise awareness of birth injuries and medical malpractice, helping other parents make informed decisions about their child’s health care.
If you believe medical negligence played a role in your child’s CP, get a free case review right now.
Steps to filing a cerebral palsy birth injury lawsuit
While each case varies, cerebral palsy lawsuits typically involve several important steps within the legal process.
Learn more about the steps to seeking cerebral palsy compensation below.
1. Get a free legal consultation
First, you’ll need to determine whether you have a case. The best and fastest way to do this is to get a free consultation from a skilled cerebral palsy lawyer.
Cerebral Palsy Guide works with a network of top CP law firms across the nation. Our legal partners can help families in all 50 states.
Find out if we can connect you with a cerebral palsy lawyer near you with a free legal case review.
2. Gather evidence
Your lawyer will collect all necessary evidence to build the strongest medical negligence case possible. They will work with qualified medical experts to support your claim.
- Expert opinions
- Medical records
- Witness statements
This step is critical for showing the link between the medical care provided and the development of your child’s cerebral palsy.
3. File a cerebral palsy lawsuit
Next, your cerebral palsy attorney will file your lawsuit against the responsible health care providers and/or hospital. This step formally begins your medical malpractice lawsuit seeking a cerebral palsy settlement.
4. Negotiate a settlement
Most birth injury cases are settled out of court. Your personal injury lawyer will handle negotiations and fight for a cerebral palsy settlement that covers your medical costs and other damages.
5. Take the case to court if needed
Finally, if both parties are unable to agree on a settlement amount, your case will proceed to trial. Your legal team will continue fighting for your family to secure a cerebral palsy lawsuit payout.
Your case may still settle, even if it goes to court. For example, an Illinois family was awarded a $29 million cerebral palsy settlement right before the closing arguments of their trial.
Watch our short video to learn more about cerebral palsy lawsuits.
When CP is caused by a medical mistake, financial support may be available. Learn how a cerebral palsy lawsuit can help families pay for lifelong care. View Transcript.
Duration: 1 min 03 sec
Cerebral palsy is a condition that can affect how kids move and communicate. Sometimes, babies develop cerebral palsy because of mistakes made during their birth that could have been prevented.
Sometimes, doctors or nurses can make mistakes during childbirth that can damage the baby's developing brain and cause cerebral palsy.
If your child’s disability was caused by a hospital or medical professional’s negligence, you may be able to file a cerebral palsy lawsuit with the help of a birth injury lawyer. Compensation from a cerebral palsy lawsuit can be used to help pay for the treatment your child will need throughout their lifetime.
The team at Cerebral Palsy Guide knows how challenging it can be to take care of a child with cerebral palsy. The emotional toll is even more taxing when you think the condition may have been prevented.
We're here to help you and your family. If you believe your child developed cerebral palsy after a mistake made during the birthing process, contact us right away for a free, confidential case review.
How long do you have to file a cerebral palsy lawsuit?
Consider taking legal action as soon as you suspect your child might have cerebral palsy that was caused by medical negligence.
It’s essential to act quickly because lawsuits are subject to strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations. State laws determine the statute of limitations, and they vary across the country.
Once your deadline passes, you may be forever prevented from taking legal action for your child’s cerebral palsy again.
As a result, it’s crucial to understand the cerebral palsy lawsuit statute of limitations that applies to your case. An experienced cerebral palsy attorney can tell you how much time you have.
Don’t wait to find out if you can pursue a cerebral palsy lawsuit settlement.
File your cerebral palsy lawsuit
Getting legal help can make a difference for families facing the costs of cerebral palsy. A lawsuit may provide compensation for medical bills and other expenses to improve your child’s quality of life.
Since there is a time limit to file, don’t wait to find an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer. With their history of handling similar cases, these lawyers are best positioned to help families secure cerebral palsy lawsuit settlements.
Cerebral Palsy Guide partners with top birth injury lawyers who can help families in all 50 states. Together, they have recovered over $1 billion in birth injury compensation, including from cerebral palsy settlements.
If you suspect your child’s CP could have been avoided, a cerebral palsy lawsuit settlement could be a direct pathway to getting the financial support your family needs and deserves.
Call us at (855) 220-1101 or get a free case review right now to see if we can help you provide a brighter future for your child.
