4 Ways Compensation for Cerebral Palsy Can Help Your Family

2 min read

Parents talk with lawyer about compensation for cerebral palsy

Each year, thousands of children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a group of disorders that affects the muscles and movement. Unfortunately, many of these cases could have been prevented, yet families are left without financial assistance to pay for their child’s care.

Government programs like Medicaid provide access to full-time nursing care either at home or at a facility, transportation, and more. However, due to lengthy Medicaid waitlists, many families are left without help.

In 2023, nearly 500,000 people are waiting to be approved for care services, meaning families are unable to afford the assistance they need.

Filing a cerebral palsy lawsuit can provide financial relief for families awaiting Medicaid approval, ensuring continuous support for their child.

If you’re unsure whether starting a birth injury lawsuit is right for you, learn about some of the top reasons people have filed for compensation for cerebral palsy.

1. Hold Negligent Health Care Workers Accountable

Filing a cerebral palsy lawsuit allows you to hold the negligent medical professionals who caused your child’s birth injury accountable.

Some examples of negligence include:

  • Failure to detect and properly treat an infection
  • Failure to detect signs of fetal distress
  • Not monitoring the mother’s or baby’s heart rate during delivery or labor
  • Not performing an emergency cesarean section (C-section)
  • Using too much force when using tools to deliver the baby

Birth injuries can be traumatic for both the parents and the child, and it may feel daunting to seek legal action. However, your story may help keep future families safe from medical negligence.

2. Cover Medical Expenses

Beyond seeking justice, the compensation for cerebral palsy you may get from pursuing a cerebral palsy lawsuit can help you pay for your child’s medical care.

It’s estimated that care for children with cerebral palsy can cost $1.6 million over their lifetime.

As people with cerebral palsy grow older, their care needs may change. They may need to receive regular physical therapy or get complex surgeries.

3. Afford Assistive Devices

Your child may need to use assistive technologies throughout their life, and a lawsuit could cover these costly devices.

Some assistive devices children with cerebral palsy may need include:

  • Braces or orthotics to stabilize feet and legs
  • Communication devices like hearing aids or writing aids
  • Vehicle modifications like motorized ramps or lifts
  • Wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids

4. Access Education Assistance

Children with cerebral palsy may require extra support throughout their education. This may include tutors or additional school programming. While public schools are required to meet the needs of children with disabilities, parents may want to pursue other options.

For example, public school special education programs can be overcrowded, leading parents to pursue private schools or private tutoring to help their child. Families can afford these expensive services with the help of compensation for cerebral palsy.

Find Help Pursuing Cerebral Palsy Compensation Today

Navigating the resources you need for your child with cerebral palsy can be confusing, and pursuing legal options can feel intimidating. However, you’re not alone.

The Birth Injury Justice Center is here to help. We partner with some of the best birth injury law firms across the country who have helped families get settlements from cerebral palsy lawsuits.

If you suspect your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by an avoidable birth injury, you don’t have to suffer silently. Contact the Birth Injury Justice Center today to learn more about cerebral palsy lawsuits. If you qualify, we can connect you with cerebral palsy attorneys who can make the legal process as stress-free as possible.

Birth Injury Support Team

The Birth Injury Justice Center was founded in 2003 by a team of legal professionals to educate and empower victims and families affected by birth injuries. Our team is devoted to providing you with the best resources and legal information for all types of birth injuries.

View Sources
  1. ABC Action News (2023 July 23). “Lack of Resources Creates Problems for Parents of Children With Disabilities.” Retrieved from https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/two-americas/lack-of-resources-creates-problems-for-parents-of-children-with-disabilities. Accessed on October 6, 2023.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023, February 23). “Cerebral Palsy (CP).” Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/index.html. Accessed October 6, 2023.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023, May 22). “Data and Statistics for Cerebral Palsy.” Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/data.html. Accessed October 6, 2023.
  4. Darrell Ranum, JD. (2019, March 20). “Study of malpractice claims involving children.” Retrieved from https://www.thedoctors.com/articles/study-of-malpractice-claims-involving-children/. Accessed October 6, 2023.