Q&A With CP Lawyer Ricky LeBlanc: What to Know About Cerebral Palsy Compensation

When negligence leaves a child with cerebral palsy (CP), families are often left trying to understand what happened and how to move forward. CP medical care can be expensive, and many parents don’t realize financial help may be available through legal action.

Attorney Ricky LeBlanc is a cerebral palsy lawyer at Sokolove Law, one of the nation’s leading firms representing families affected by preventable CP and other birth injuries.

In 1991, Ricky began practicing law and has spent his career standing up for families impacted by medical negligence in hospitals and delivery rooms. The work is personal to him because he has a nephew with cerebral palsy, so he understands the challenges families face.

Recently, Ricky sat down with the Cerebral Palsy Guide team to share what families should know about cerebral palsy compensation and how the right legal help can make a real difference.

Q: What is compensation for cerebral palsy?

A: Cerebral palsy financial assistance is meant to cover the cost of lifelong care. It can come from several places, like government programs, private grants, and legal claims if medical mistakes caused the injury.

In cerebral palsy lawsuits, families may recover money through a settlement or verdict. Some cerebral palsy cases settle for around $2.5 million, while others may pay less or pay much more depending on the child’s needs, the ability of the defendants to pay, and the evidence of negligence.

There’s no guarantee, but many families see results that make life a little easier. Often, some of the money is used to modify or build a home that has specialized equipment required by children with CP to help them be a bit more independent, such as remote-controlled doors, windows, shades, etc, and ramps, showers with hoists, and other accommodations.

The compensation helps cover lifelong care, therapy, and support for children living with cerebral palsy.

Q: When do families qualify for cerebral palsy compensation claims?

A: Families may qualify for compensation when a medical professional or hospital made a mistake that caused a child’s cerebral palsy. We often see this when a baby doesn’t get enough oxygen during delivery or when warning signs are missed.

If the condition could have been prevented with proper care, and the medical professionals deviated from that standard of care, that’s considered medical negligence. In those cases, we help families file a compensation claim for cerebral palsy, so they can afford the care their child will need for life.

Q: How do I know if my baby’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence?

A: Unfortunately, many parents never hear that medical mistakes may have caused their child’s cerebral palsy. Hospitals and doctors rarely admit when something went wrong, and important details can get buried in medical records.

That’s where a skilled cerebral palsy lawyer can help. We have the training to spot signs of negligence that most families would never see on their own. Our firm also has registered nurses on staff who are familiar with these cases and can help families understand what happened.

Experienced CP lawyers have handled many of these cases for families like yours and know the tactics hospitals use to hide mistakes, make low offers, or deny responsibility.

Q: How much do cerebral palsy lawsuit settlements and verdicts typically pay out?

A: Every case is different, but as noted earlier, our cerebral palsy settlements average $2.5 million, while verdicts can be lower or even much higher when the evidence shows serious negligence.

In one recent case, a family worked with Missouri cerebral palsy lawyers and was awarded $48.1 million after a delayed cesarean section caused their child to lose oxygen and develop cerebral palsy.

Remember, there’s never any promise of a specific outcome. Every case is different, but experienced birth injury lawyers do everything we can to reach a result that helps families care for their child and plan for the future.

Q: What factors affect cerebral palsy injury compensation amounts?

A: Cerebral palsy legal compensation depends on what the child will need over their lifetime. We look at how severe the condition is, what type of cerebral palsy they have, and how much care and therapy will be required.

For example, a child with spastic quadriplegia, which can cause weakness or paralysis in all four limbs, will likely need full-time care and special equipment. That level of support usually means a higher payout.

The strength of the evidence also matters. When we can clearly show that medical negligence caused the injury, families often recover more. And sometimes, and also very important, it comes down to the defendant's ability to pay. Some defendants do not have the resources to pay millions of dollars, so while a jury may award it, a family may not be able to collect it if the negligent party has insufficient insurance or assets.

Each case is unique, but the goal is always the same: to obtain some justice and to secure the necessary funds to provide the care and support the child will need for life.

Q: What expenses does a cerebral palsy settlement or verdict cover?

A: Cerebral palsy negligence compensation helps families pay for the care their child will need throughout their lifetime. The money can cover costs related to CP symptoms, regular visits with doctors and specialists, therapy, and medical equipment.

For children with more serious cases, funds may cover in-home nursing care or long-term support. It can also pay for home modifications, wheelchairs, and other tools that make daily life easier.

This financial help allows families to focus on improving their child's life expectancy and quality of life, instead of worrying about bills.

Q: How long does a cerebral palsy compensation claim take to resolve?

A: Cerebral palsy legal claims can sometimes be resolved in under a year, but more complex cases typically take longer. Every case is different.

A CP lawyer wants to make sure he or she understands the needs of the child before accepting any offers to settle, and understanding the full extent of the injury can take time. Then the strength of evidence, the reasonableness and responsiveness of the negligent parties, and whether the case settles or goes to trial, will determine the timeline.

Working with an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer can help move things along faster. We know what records to request, what experts to bring in, and how to build a strong case early, so the defendants know, right away, what they are up against.

Our goal is to keep the process as efficient as possible while still fighting for the best result for your family.

Q: What’s the deadline to file a cerebral palsy lawsuit?

A: The deadline to file a cerebral palsy lawsuit generally depends on the laws of the state where your child was born. Each state has its own statute of limitations, which sets how long families have to take legal action.

In some states, the deadline may only be 1 year, even if the full extent of the injuries to your child is not known. That’s why it’s so important to act as soon as you suspect something went wrong.

You don’t need a diagnosis to start learning your options. These cases take time, and waiting too long can mean losing the right to file. The safest step is to get started early, so your child’s case can be reviewed before the deadline.

Q: What advice would you give parents considering a cerebral palsy compensation claim?

A: My advice is simple. Don’t give up hope, and don’t wait to ask questions. Cerebral palsy compensation payouts can give your child access to therapies and medical care that improve their quality of life and long-term health.

With proper treatment and planning, many children with cerebral palsy can live long, fulfilling lives surrounded by the support they deserve.

Get Help Seeking Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury Compensation

At Cerebral Palsy Guide, we’re grateful to work with experienced CP lawyers like Ricky LeBlanc, who take the time to help families understand their options after a preventable birth injury.

We partner with cerebral palsy lawyers across the country who have recovered more than $1 billion for families seeking justice and financial support for their child’s care.

Cerebral palsy lawsuits can be complex, but experienced lawyers help families through every step. If you believe medical mistakes may have caused your child’s cerebral palsy, call (855) 220-1101 or get a free case review right now.

Written by:Cerebral Palsy Guide

Cerebral Palsy Guide was founded upon the goal of educating families about cerebral palsy, raising awareness, and providing support for children, parents, and caregivers affected by the condition. Our easy-to-use website offers simple, straightforward information that provides families with medical and legal solutions. We are devoted to helping parents and children access the tools they need to live a life full of happiness