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Cerebral palsy legal aid

If your child developed cerebral palsy (CP) from a medical mistake during childbirth, you may have questions about your legal rights. Many families seek cerebral palsy legal aid from experienced CP lawyers. Filing a lawsuit can help your family seek cerebral palsy financial assistance to help pay for your child’s treatment and lifelong care. Learn more about cerebral palsy legal aid.

How do I get cerebral palsy legal aid?

To get cerebral palsy legal aid, start by reaching out to a specialized birth injury lawyer.

An attorney experienced in medical malpractice cases involving mistakes made during childbirth may be able to file a cerebral palsy lawsuit on your family’s behalf.

These legal professionals offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay unless you win.

Skilled birth injury lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and guide you through the process of seeking compensation for cerebral palsy caused by a medical mistake.

Cerebral Palsy Guide works with an extensive network of birth injury lawyers who can help families in all 50 states.

Together, they’ve secured over $962 million for families affected by preventable birth injuries.

Watch our short video to learn more about cerebral palsy legal assistance.

How Legal Assistance Can Pay for Cerebral Palsy Treatment Video Thumbnail

Learn what types of medical negligence can cause cerebral palsy and how to pursue financial compensation for your child’s treatment. Call us for legal help today at (855) 220-1101. View Transcript.

Duration: 1 min 29 sec

Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a lifelong condition that can require constant care and treatment.

It is also expensive. “How expensive?” you may ask.

Between therapy, medications, and special home accommodations, the CDC estimates that the lifetime cost to care for someone with CP is over 1.6 million dollars!

Understandably, many parents and family members aren’t prepared to pay for these unplanned medical expenses. Seeking legal aid can help families get much-needed compensation if there is evidence their child’s condition could have been prevented.

A qualified birth injury lawyer can figure out whether an act of negligence led to your child’s cerebral palsy.

Some examples of medical negligence include:

  • Failing to detect infections during pregnancy
  • Missing signs of fetal distress or lack of oxygen
  • Neglecting to perform a C-section in a timely manner
  • Using excessive force during delivery
  • Neglecting to monitor a mother or baby’s heart rate during labor and delivery
  • Improperly using forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery
  • And failing to treat severe newborn jaundice

The best way to find out if your child is eligible for legal aid is to speak with a birth injury lawyer.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation and see if you’re entitled to compensation that can help your child get life-changing care.

If you qualify, we can connect you with top-quality cerebral palsy legal aid that can mean getting the financial compensation your family deserves.

Find out if we can help with a free legal case review right now.

Cerebral palsy legal aid settlement amounts

By seeking cerebral palsy legal aid, many families are able to access compensation through a settlement.

Cerebral palsy lawsuit settlements are negotiated payouts agreed upon by the child's family and the at-fault health care providers.

Most birth injury lawsuits result in out-of-court settlements, reducing the time it takes to resolve the case. This means your family can receive much-needed financial support for your child's treatment more quickly.

Here are some cerebral palsy payouts our legal partners have secured:
  • $10.5 million for a Missouri family
  • $9 million for the family of a 5-year-old in Colorado
  • $8 million to a family in North Carolina
  • $7 million for an Illinois family
  • $6.5 million for a Washington family for oxygen deprivation from delayed delivery
  • $5.9 million to a family in Texas whose child received delayed medical care
  • $5.5 million to an Oklahoma family
  • $4.1 million to a New Jersey family for mismanaged fetal distress
  • $3.35 million for a New Hampshire family
  • $2.4 million to the family of a child in Massachusetts

If your child’s condition could have been prevented, seeking cerebral palsy legal aid can result in a life-changing amount of money for your family.

Call Cerebral Palsy Guide right now at (855) 220-1101 or Click to Live Chat to see if you qualify.

Cerebral palsy lawsuits explained

If you suspect your child’s brain damage could have been prevented, you may be eligible for financial compensation through a cerebral palsy lawsuit.

An attorney sits at a table with a clipboard, gavel, and scales of justice, explaining something to a client.In most cases, cerebral palsy is caused by birth trauma or injury to the baby’s brain during childbirth. If mistakes were made, negligent doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals who delivered your baby can be held accountable for their actions through a cerebral palsy lawsuit.

"Injury prevention and upholding a high standard of care for patients are promises that nurses and other medical professionals have made. Assessing risks and providing correct interventions are key to nurse care."

—Katie Lavender, registered nurse, labor and delivery

The best way to determine if your child’s cerebral palsy was preventable is to seek cerebral palsy legal aid from a qualified lawyer.

An experienced lawyer can guide you through the entire process with as little added stress as possible. These specialized birth injury attorneys have the skills needed to provide expert legal support for cerebral palsy cases.

This includes evaluating medical records and documents for signs of medical malpractice and determining the causes of cerebral palsy.

Benefits of filing a cerebral palsy lawsuit

An important benefit to filing a lawsuit is that it can provide peace of mind for parents of a child living with cerebral palsy.

Parents and caregivers may feel a sense of justice by holding negligent medical professionals responsible for medical malpractice.

Another main benefit of cerebral palsy legal assistance is pursuing financial compensation. Money from a cerebral palsy claim can help cover the costs of treatment, therapy, medication, surgery, and more.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that the lifetime cost to care for an individual with cerebral palsy is over $1.5 million.

Many parents are not prepared for these unplanned medical expenses. A U.S. study reported that 40% of families of children with special health care needs experience financial difficulties due to their child's condition.

If you suspect your child’s condition could have been prevented, consider seeking cerebral palsy legal aid to learn more about getting compensation.

Call a member of our team right now at (855) 220-1101 to see if we can help.

How to file a cerebral palsy lawsuit

When seeking cerebral palsy legal aid, you'll go through several steps in the lawsuit process to secure compensation. Your personal injury legal team will guide you, so you can focus on caring for your child.

Although each cerebral palsy case varies, most lawsuits follow the steps below.

1. Get a free legal consultation

Top cerebral palsy attorneys provide free case reviews, so you can find out whether you may have a valid claim with no financial risk.

During this step, a patient advocate will gather information regarding your child’s injury and connect you with a cerebral palsy lawyer if you qualify.

It is important to note that you do not need a cerebral palsy diagnosis to get a free case review. Skilled birth injury attorneys have the resources to determine if your child’s symptoms could be an indication of cerebral palsy.

2. Gather evidence

Your cerebral palsy attorney will gather the documentation needed to show that negligence by the medical professionals caused your child’s condition.

Evidence in cerebral palsy lawsuits may include:
  • Diagnostic reports that show your child has cerebral palsy or symptoms of the condition
  • Maternal health records outlining any risk factors during pregnancy
  • Medical records detailing the events before, during, and shortly after birth
  • Reports from medical experts linking your child's condition to mistakes during childbirth

By gathering this important evidence, your attorney can build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

3. File a cerebral palsy lawsuit

After gathering strong evidence, your cerebral palsy attorney will file your lawsuit in the appropriate court. Once filed, you become the plaintiff, and the doctor, nurse, or hospital involved in your child's birth becomes the defendant.

4. Negotiate a settlement

Cerebral palsy lawsuits typically end in either a settlement or a trial verdict, with most cases settling out of court. In a settlement, the defendants agree to pay a lump sum to the plaintiff, concluding the lawsuit without going to trial.

5. Take the case to court if needed

If both parties cannot agree on a cerebral palsy settlement, the case may proceed to a trial where both sides present their arguments to a judge or jury. Trials can be risky because if the court finds the defendant not guilty, you will not receive any compensation.

How to know if you have a case

Parents or guardians of a child with cerebral palsy may have a valid claim if medical malpractice played a role in their child’s injury.

To sue for cerebral palsy, your attorney will gather evidence that shows your child’s condition could have been prevented. Your lawyer must prove that certain symptoms or events suggest something went wrong in the delivery room that led to your child’s CP.

Preventable brain injuries leading to cerebral palsy are often the result of medical negligence and errors before, during, or after delivery.

Examples of medical negligence or malpractice include:
  • Disregarding jaundice that leads to kernicterus (brain damage)
  • Failing to detect a lack of oxygen in the baby or umbilical cord problems
  • Ignoring issues with the mother or child’s heart rate during delivery
  • Misusing forceps or vacuum extractors (assisted delivery tools)
  • Neglecting to perform a necessary cesarean section (C-section)
  • Not diagnosing or treating infections during pregnancy, like meningitis
  • Using excessive force during delivery

If any of the situations listed above occurred before, during, or shortly after your child's birth, you may have a valid case and should consider seeking cerebral palsy legal aid.

Get a free case review right now to see if we can help.

Determining cerebral palsy compensation amounts

Several factors influence the value of your medical negligence claim, which can affect the potential compensation awarded.

First, your lawyer will calculate the costs of past and future medical treatment needed as your child transitions into adulthood.

The following expenses may be factored in to calculate CP compensation:

Your attorney will use these figures to help ensure your family receives the financial support necessary for your child's future.

When should I seek cerebral palsy legal aid?

Seek cerebral palsy legal assistance as soon as possible. Starting the legal process early can help you secure financial compensation more quickly.

Additionally, a critical factor in filing a birth injury lawsuit is the statute of limitations, which sets a time limit for filing your case.

Most families have 2-3 years to file their cerebral palsy lawsuit. Typically, the statute of limitations begins when the injury occurred or when it should have been reasonably discovered.

The statute of limitations varies for each state, so it is very important to consult a reputable birth injury law firm in your area to determine how long you have to file.

Seeking cerebral palsy legal aid from an experienced attorney means they will ensure your case is filed before your specific deadline.

For these reasons, it's important to take action without delay.

Get legal help for cerebral palsy

If you believe that your child’s condition could have been the result of medical malpractice, seek cerebral palsy legal aid as soon as possible.

Starting the lawsuit process early may help your family receive much-needed financial compensation to cover the overwhelming costs of cerebral palsy treatment.

The best way to determine if you’re eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit is to contact an experienced lawyer.

Cerebral Palsy Guide has a national network of legal partners who are ready to provide cerebral palsy legal aid to families across the country. Together, they have recovered over $962 million for preventable birth injuries.

Call (855) 220-1101 or fill out this form for a free case review right now to see if we can connect you with expert cerebral palsy legal aid in your area.

Cerebral palsy legal aid FAQs

What support is available for people with cerebral palsy?

Support for people with cerebral palsy includes medical care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and assistive devices like wheelchairs and communication aids.

Educational programs and special education services help children with CP learn and develop skills. Financial assistance and cerebral palsy legal aid may be available to cover medical expenses and other needs.

Community support groups and organizations offer emotional support and resources for families.

What is the average settlement for cerebral palsy?

The average birth injury settlement is around $1 million, but many families have received multimillion-dollar payouts in cerebral palsy settlements.

The value of a cerebral palsy case depends on several factors, including the severity of the condition and your child's expected lifetime care needs.

Seeking cerebral palsy legal aid from an experienced attorney can help ensure you secure the money you deserve.

Contact our team at (855) 220-1101 to discuss your options.

Do you get money if you have cerebral palsy?

People with cerebral palsy may receive financial compensation through disability benefits, insurance claims, or legal settlements, particularly if medical negligence is involved.

Cerebral palsy legal aid can help families seek compensation through birth injury claims to cover medical expenses, therapy, assistive devices, and other needs.

Government programs like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) also provide financial support to individuals with cerebral palsy.

What are the accommodations for cerebral palsy?

Accommodations for cerebral palsy include various support measures to enhance mobility and independence.

Cerebral palsy accommodations include:

  • Assistive devices: Wheelchairs, walkers, and communication aids
  • Educational support: Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and specialized teaching strategies
  • Home modifications: Ramps, widened doorways, and accessible bathrooms
  • Therapy services: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy to improve function and communication
  • Transportation: Handicap-accessible vehicles and public transportation accommodations
  • Workplace adjustments: Flexible hours, adapted equipment, and ergonomic workstations

These accommodations help individuals with cerebral palsy lead more independent and fulfilling lives.

What organization helps cerebral palsy?

Several organizations provide vital support for individuals with cerebral palsy and their families.

Here are 5 cerebral palsy organizations:

  1. United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): Provides CP support, advocacy, and resources
  2. Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF): Focuses on research, education, and advocacy
  3. March of Dimes: Supports research and programs for prevention and treatment
  4. Easterseals: Offers services, including therapy, early intervention, and support
  5. The Arc: Advocates for and provides services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

These organizations play an important role in enhancing the quality of life for those affected by cerebral palsy.

Will working with a lawyer get me cerebral palsy financial assistance?

Working with a lawyer can help you secure financial assistance for cerebral palsy, especially if it was caused by medical negligence.

A lawyer specializing in cerebral palsy cases can guide you through the legal process and help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, therapy, assistive devices, and other needs.

They work on a no-win, no-fee basis, have access to top medical experts, and will fight hard to get you the compensation award your family deserves.

Cerebral Palsy Guide partners with top cerebral palsy lawyers across the country who can help families in all 50 states.

Call us right now at (855) 220-1101 to find out if we can connect you with top-quality cerebral palsy legal aid near you.

Reviewed by:Katie Lavender, RN

Registered Nurse

  • Fact-Checked
  • Editor

Katie Lavender has over 8 years of experience as a Registered Nurse in postpartum mother/baby care. With hands-on experience in Labor and Delivery and a role as a Community Educator for newborn care, Katie is a staunch advocate for patient rights and education. As a Medical Reviewer, she is committed to ensuring accurate and trustworthy patient information.

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

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  3. Data and statistics for cerebral palsy. (2020, December 31). Retrieved July 11, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/data.html
  4. Pre-trial settlement percentage: Statistics on personal injury settlements. (2013, September 30). Retrieved July 11, 2024, from https://thelawdictionary.org/article/pre-trial-settlement-percentage-statistics-on-personal-injury-settlements/
  5. Ranum, D. (n.d.). Study of malpractice claims involving children. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from https://www.thedoctors.com/articles/study-of-malpractice-claims-involving-children/