Cerebral Palsy Lawsuits and Compensation

Cerebral palsy is often the result of avoidable incidents which occur during pregnancy or delivery.  Cerebral palsy is a life-long condition that can have a devastating emotional and financial impact on a family.  Children born with cerebral palsy require ongoing medical attention, including medication, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and surgery.  Additionally, depending on the severity of your child's condition, he or she may be unable to live independently after reaching adulthood.

Cerebral Palsy Lawsuits

The first step in determining whether you have a viable cerebral palsy case is to ascertain the cause of your child's cerebral palsy.  The determination of the cause of your child's cerebral palsy requires a thorough review of your medical history as well as the records documenting what transpired during the delivery.  You need an experienced cerebral palsy attorney to help you investigate what happened during your pregnancy and before, during, and after the delivery that may have contributed to your child's cerebral palsy. 

In many cases, parent's of children born with cerebral palsy file suit on behalf of their child.  Every state has laws in place which limit the amount of time a person has to file a cerebral palsy lawsuit. Therefore, you must consult with a cerebral palsy attorney immediately to protect your rights.      The attorney will advise you as to how long you have to file the lawsuit and will assess the merits of your case.

Some states allow a child born with cerebral palsy to file suit within two years of her 18^th birthday.  If such a law is not on the books in your state, your child may miss the opportunity to recover compensation to which he would otherwise be entitled.  Therefore, it's best to consult with a cerebral palsy attorney and pursue legal action on behalf of your child immediately upon receipt of the diagnosis.

Filing a cerebral palsy lawsuit requires specialized knowledge and an understanding of cerebral palsy law that the average personal injury or medical malpractice attorney may not have.  Although no attorney can guarantee the outcome of a lawsuit, an experienced cerebral palsy attorney will have the knowledge and resources necessary to ensure the greatest likelihood of recovering the financial award you and your child deserve.

What Can I Recover?

When a child is born with cerebral palsy, ongoing medical expenses and expenses associated with the child's daily care can be exorbitant.  For uninsured parents and those who exhaust their insurance benefits, the fear of being unable to provide the necessary care for their child can be overwhelming.

Filing a cerebral palsy lawsuit is the best way to get the financial compensation needed to ensure your child is well-cared for.  Cerebral palsy lawsuit verdicts and settlements often include compensation for:

• Past, Current, and Future Medical Expenses

• Home Modifications

• Vehicle Modifications

• Special Education Programs

• Loss of Wages

• Loss of Earning Potential

• The child's inability to care for himself physically and financially due to the debilitating nature of cerebral palsy

• Pain and Suffering

Getting Legal Help

Many doctors and hospitals go to great lengths to hide errors and mistakes which result in a child being born with cerebral palsy.  If you suspect that something went wrong during your pregnancy or before, during, or immediately after you gave birth, contact a cerebral palsy attorney in your area to determine your rights and options.