Why Choose Our New York Cerebral Palsy Lawyers?
New Yorkers choose The Sanders Law Firm to handle their cerebral palsy lawsuits because we have decades of experience representing medical malpractice victims and their families across New York. We take on negligent facilities and healthcare providers with relentless NYC grit and have the resources to go the distance in every case.
- Litigation-first strategy: We prepare every case for trial and are ready to sue if insurers don’t offer fair compensation.
- Personalized representation: Our team learns the details of the injury and develops a legal strategy tailored to your family’s needs.
- Free consultations: Speak with us with no obligation and at no cost to you.
- No upfront legal fees: Pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
- Multilingual support: We assist clients in several languages throughout the legal process.
I had a great experience with the Sanders Law firm.
The firm did amazing job. I greatly thankful for the Brooklyn office. They are truly amazing people you can trust. Special thanks for Shahzoda who really helped me through this process. Thank you!
Isroil S.
How Medical Malpractice Can Cause Cerebral Palsy Birth Injuries
Not every case of cerebral palsy results from medical negligence, but preventable medical errors and birth injuries before, during, or shortly after childbirth have been shown to contribute to the condition. Possible examples include:
- Ignoring or misinterpreting abnormal heart rates that can indicate when a baby is not getting enough oxygen.
- Failing to respond when the baby is not getting enough oxygen.
- Delayed delivery by C-section when it becomes medically necessary.
- Mishandling a difficult delivery involving the baby’s shoulders.
- Failing to address an umbilical cord problem, which can cut off the oxygen and blood supply to the baby.
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors.
- Failing to diagnose and treat maternal or early-onset neonatal infections, such as meningitis or chorioamnionitis.
How Do You Know If Medical Negligence Caused Cerebral Palsy?
If your child suffered a birth injury, determining whether medical negligence caused or contributed to cerebral palsy requires a careful review of the care provided. An attorney will often examine:
- Medical records showing the care the mother and the child received.
- Fetal heart monitoring strips showing the baby’s heart rate during labor.
- Labor and delivery records detailing what happened during the birth.
- Hospital policies and procedures for handling medical complications.
An attorney can work with medical experts to determine whether a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and whether that failure may have contributed to your child’s injury.
Do You Have a Cerebral Palsy Medical Malpractice Case?
You may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim if a doctor’s negligence caused or contributed to your child’s cerebral palsy. To support a claim, families generally must show that:
- A healthcare provider owed a duty of care to the mother or child.
- The provider failed to provide the level of care expected in the circumstances.
- That failure caused or contributed to the child’s cerebral palsy.
- The family suffered losses as a result.
A cerebral palsy diagnosis alone does not mean medical malpractice occurred. A New York medical malpractice lawyer can review the medical records and circumstances surrounding your child’s birth to evaluate whether negligence may have occurred and whether the family may have a claim.
Symptoms and Treatments for Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy symptoms are usually seen in children at two years of age, though signs are sometimes evident as early as 3 months. One of the first indicators of cerebral palsy is delayed attainment of developmental milestones such as rolling, sitting up, crawling, and walking.
Because there are different types of cerebral palsy, symptoms can vary and may include:
- Tremors
- Unsteady gait
- Seizures
- Lack of coordination
- Muscle weakness or stiffness
- Cognitive impairment and learning disabilities
- Hearing loss
- Vision problems
- Incontinence
Long-Term Treatment and Care for Cerebral Palsy
Because there is no cure for cerebral palsy, treatments focus on reducing symptoms and complications, and helping children lead the most normal lives possible. The ongoing need for medical care and support can place significant emotional and financial pressure on families. When medical negligence contributes to a child’s condition, these long-term needs are considered when seeking compensation.
Treatments and care a child with cerebral palsy may need include:
- Ongoing medical care
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Assistive devices
- Special education services
- Home or lifestyle modifications
- Long-term support needs
We Have Your Back
Founded in 1967, The Sanders Law Firm has grown into a large, thriving organization of attorneys, paralegals, medical consultants, and support staff – all committed to providing the highest level of legal representation to injured New Yorkers.
Compensation Available in a New York Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit
A New York cerebral palsy lawsuit may provide compensation for the financial costs and personal impact associated with a child’s condition. The damages available depend on the facts of each case and may include:
- Medical expenses and future care: Costs of hospital care, treatment, medications, therapy, equipment, and other care a child may need now or in the future
- Lost income: Income a parent may lose when caring for a child or attending medical appointments
- Home and transportation needs: Costs to modify a home or accommodate the child’s mobility needs
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the child’s physical pain and emotional distress related to the condition
- Loss of enjoyment: The effect cerebral palsy may have on the child’s ability to take part in activities and experiences
How Long Do You Have to File a Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit in New York?
Under New York’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice, parents typically have two and a half years to file a cerebral palsy lawsuit for their losses, while the injured child may have up to 10 years after the injury to file a claim for their own pain, suffering, and disability.
This difference exists because state law pauses the statute of limitations for children but imposes an overall cap on the time in which they can file a lawsuit. Exceptions can shorten these timelines. If the injury happened at a public or municipal hospital, such as any NYC Health + Hospitals facility, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days, and the lawsuit within one year and 90 days.
Families should seek legal advice promptly because missing a deadline can prevent them from pursuing compensation. An attorney can review the circumstances of the child’s birth and identify which deadlines apply.
How The Sanders Law Firm Helps Families After a Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury
Our legal team helps families investigate whether medical negligence contributed to their child’s cerebral palsy and pursue compensation when appropriate. Our attorneys handle each stage of the legal process, including:
- Reviewing medical records: Examining prenatal, labor, delivery, and newborn records for signs of medical errors
- Consulting medical experts: Working with qualified professionals to determine whether the care met accepted medical standards
- Identifying responsible providers: Determining which doctors, nurses, hospitals, or other providers could be held responsible
- Calculating long-term damages: Evaluating current and future costs related to the child’s care and support
- Negotiating a settlement: Seeking fair compensation from the parties and insurers involved
- Taking the case to trial: Presenting the evidence in court when a fair settlement cannot be reached
We have helped New Yorkers recover billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. We are prepared to handle complex litigation and have the resources to go the distance for you.
Contact Our New York Cerebral Palsy Lawyers
If you believe medical negligence may have contributed to your child’s cerebral palsy, contact us to schedule a free consultation. We are committed to helping New York families pursue answers and understand their options after suspected medical negligence.
Call us at (833) SANDERS or fill out our online form to get started. Our attorneys can review the medical care involved and discuss options for your next steps.