Baltimore Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Thousands of children are born each day, and most deliveries go smoothly,  without major problems. However, complications can occur, often due to a medical provider’s mistakes. If your child suffered an injury during delivery and has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a result, our Baltimore cerebral palsy lawyers are ready to help.

A newborn baby is delicate and can be easily injured in many situations. Unfortunately, if a baby’s brain suffers from physical trauma, particularly during labor and delivery, the effects can be life-altering.

Of course, everyone can make a mistake at times. However, when a medical professional makes an error, it can affect the patient’s life forever. At Furman | Honick Law, we believe all careless people, including negligent doctors, should be held liable when they cause a child to suffer injuries. We also understand the cost of necessary care and treatment these families will face to properly care for a child with CP. Legal action may be available to help recover compensation to offset the significant costs of raising a child with cerebral palsy. Learn more about bringing a medical malpractice claim by contacting the Baltimore birth injury lawyers at Furman | Honick Law.

Cerebral Palsy Basics

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a serious birth-related condition. CP is a group of disorders that affect motor skills, muscle tone, balance, and posture. It is a permanent disability with no cure.

Cerebral palsy may have various symptoms, including: 

  • Underdeveloped muscles
  • Lack of balance and coordination
  • Floppy limbs
  • Poor head control
  • Stiff muscles
  • Spastic movements
  • Tremors
  • Seizures 
  • Vision or hearing problems
  • Intellectual disability and 
  • Delays in walking and other milestones.

Various factors can cause CP, and doctor negligence is often involved. Mistakes may be made during labor and delivery. If a doctor’s negligence leads to a lack of oxygen, the baby can suffer brain damage. 

If a difficult pregnancy or delivery harmed your baby, and you believe your medical team may have made a mistake, you probably have questions. Our CP lawyers can provide the answers you need. Reach out to our compassionate legal team for more information about your legal rights during a no-obligation case review today.

Schedule a Free Consultation

What are the Risk Factors for CP?

Several pregnancy and delivery complications may lead to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Risk factors for cerebral palsy include:

  • Untreated preeclampsia
  • Inflammation in the placenta
  • Untreated viral infections or STDs in the mother
  • Multiple births - twins, triplets, etc.
  • Breech birth
  • Premature delivery
  • Exposure to alcohol and drugs

The Three Main Types of Cerebral Palsy

Most CP diagnoses fall into three main types:

  • Spastic cerebral palsy. This type accounts for 70% of all cerebral palsy cases. It is characterized by muscle stiffness typically limited to one side of the body. It affects the lower legs, making it difficult to walk. Cognitive deficits and seizures may also occur in severe cases.
  • Ataxic cerebral palsy. This type of cerebral palsy impacts fine motor skills, balance, and coordination. Some children experience erratic speech.

Dystonia cerebral palsy. This type of cerebral palsy involves uncontrolled movements of the limbs and twisted torsos.

What Can Parents Expect When Their Child Receives a Cerebral Palsy Prognosis?

Many children with cerebral palsy grow up to lead relatively happy lives. Some go to school, hold jobs, and even live independently.

Potential CP Care and Treatment Options

Unfortunately, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. However, there are many medical treatments and therapies available to enhance your child’s quality of life. A qualified medical professional can discuss the various options that could benefit your child and how much they cost. 

Depending on the severity of your child’s cerebral palsy, they may benefit from physical and occupational therapy, counseling, special schooling, surgery, medications, and mobility aids. However, these treatments are expensive and could exceed hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. 

How Parents Might Pay For Their Child’s Needs

While parents may qualify for various governmental benefits to help pay for their child’s expenses, those programs are usually limited to certain costs and may not cover the entire expense. An experienced cerebral palsy attorney in our Baltimore office can explain the process of applying for government assistance during a free consultation.  

However, the best way to ensure your child receives the services and care they need is to bring a birth injury claim to recover compensation from the negligent medical providers who caused the injury. When you work with our skilled cerebral palsy attorneys, we can help you recoup your financial losses by holding negligent care providers responsible for your child’s injuries. 

What Damages Can a Baltimore Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Request?

Like other birth injury cases, our dedicated cerebral palsy attorneys can bring a claim on behalf of a child who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after a healthcare provider’s negligent or careless actions caused the situation. In these personal injury actions, we can demand both economic and non-economic damages, such as:

Medical expenses—These can include costs related to the child’s delivery, medical stay, procedures, testing, NICU care, and future anticipated expenses related to the child’s CP diagnosis.

Lost income—If a parent must miss work or lose their job to care for their child’s special needs, they can request lost wages and other sources of lost income for their current situation and anticipated future losses.

Therapy and ongoing treatment costs—Many people with CP benefit from various therapies and assistive care during their lifetimes. These costs can quickly add up and place a financial burden on the family. 

Home and vehicle modifications—If your child uses a wheelchair or assistive devices for day-to-day activities, you may need to modify your home or vehicle to help them live a more fulfilling life. We may be able to recover these expenses for you.

Pain and suffering—While difficult to quantify, these losses are very real and can be devastating for the entire family. Our experienced CP lawyers can explain how we place a value on the emotional and mental anguish you and your child are facing.

Filing a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit is a complicated legal process. For the best results, partner with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer who understands the requirements of a cerebral palsy claim. 

When you have a skilled cerebral palsy lawyer at Furman | Honick Law on your side, you can rest assured we will diligently fight to help you receive payment for the treatment and care your child deserves.

Contact a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer at Furman | Honick Law to Learn More Today

While some children with cerebral palsy grow up to lead productive lives, many suffer from lifelong mobility and cognitive issues requiring constant care. We understand the uncertain future you may be facing, and we’re ready to fight for your child’s right to live the best life possible. 

Cerebral palsy treatment can cost millions of dollars over a lifespan. If a doctor or other healthcare professional or facility is to blame for your child’s cerebral palsy, we are here to help. The experienced Baltimore cerebral palsy lawyers at Furman | Honick Law can help you get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, fill out our online contact form or call (410) 844-6000.