Dundalk Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Why trust Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton with your Dundalk cerebral palsy case?

Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton have guided Maryland families through birth-injury litigation since 1984, securing more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements.
We put that experience to work for parents in Dundalk who are already bearing the emotional and financial weight of raising a child with cerebral palsy.

Our attorneys know the local landscape, Johns Hopkins, MedStar Franklin Square, and community hospitals along Merritt Boulevard, North Point Road, and Turner Station, and we understand how mistakes in those delivery rooms can change a child’s life forever.
Because we live and practice just minutes away at 1211 St Paul St., a short drive up I-95 or the Harbor Tunnel, we can respond quickly, meet you in person, and bring hometown insight to Baltimore County juries.

Experience matters: decades in the courtroom teach us how to prove negligence, negotiate with insurers, and win the resources children need for lifetime care.
Compassion matters just as much: we answer calls 24/7, offer free consultations, and treat every family as our own, because you deserve lawyers who fight hard and care deeply.

Who will handle my child’s cerebral palsy case at your firm?

Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton personally lead every cerebral palsy claim we take on.
Their hands-on approach means you work directly with the attorneys who have four decades of trial experience and a record of Top Leading Plaintiff Lawyers 2025 honors.

Jonathan Schochor

Jonathan Schochor earned his J.D. from American University Washington College of Law after graduating from Penn State, and in 50+ years of practice has recovered over $1.6 billion for clients, including Maryland’s record $190 million class-action settlement for 8,000 sexual-abuse survivors.

Kerry Staton
Kerry D. Staton earned his B.A. from Oberlin College and J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law (1980). In 40+ years of medical-malpractice advocacy he has won numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, placing him in the Million & Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums and the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers. Staton is a four-time Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice in Baltimore (2013, 2018, 2022, 2025), a Fellow of both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers, and a perennial Maryland Top 100 Super Lawyer.

We limit our caseload so Jonathan or Kerry can study your medical records, consult neonatal experts, and speak with you one-on-one. That focus lets us build the strongest case while giving your family the attention and compassion you deserve.

What is cerebral palsy (CP)?

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong neurological disorder that disrupts muscle control, posture, and coordination. It develops when a baby’s brain is damaged before, during, or shortly after birth, often leaving children with stiff or floppy muscles, delayed milestones, and possible speech or cognitive challenges.

There is no cure, so families face years of medical care, physical and occupational therapy, adaptive equipment, and home modifications. We see firsthand how these costs can overwhelm parents, which is why our attorneys fight to secure funds for every treatment and device a child may need throughout life.

How can medical negligence cause cerebral palsy in a newborn?

Medical errors during pregnancy, labor, or the first days of life can deprive a baby’s brain of oxygen and create irreversible damage that leads to cerebral palsy. These breakdowns happen when care teams miss danger signs or use improper techniques that proper training, and Maryland hospital protocols, are designed to prevent.

Common negligent scenarios we uncover

Oxygen deprivation during labor – Failure to perform a timely C-section when fetal heart tracings show distress allows minutes without oxygen, the leading cause of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
Improper use of delivery tools – Forceps or vacuum extractors applied with excessive force can cause skull fractures or bleeding inside the brain that disrupt motor centers.
Ignored monitoring alarms – Nurses or residents who overlook abnormal maternal blood pressure, prolonged labor, or decelerating heart rates lose the chance to intervene before injury occurs.
Untreated maternal or newborn infection – Sepsis, meningitis, or chorioamnionitis that goes undiagnosed can inflame brain tissue and create lasting motor deficits.
Severe jaundice left unmanaged – High bilirubin levels turn into kernicterus when phototherapy or exchange transfusion is delayed, destroying brain cells that control movement.

How can a cerebral palsy lawyer help my family?

A cerebral palsy attorney guides families through complex malpractice claims and fights for the money a child will need for life. We bring 40+ years of courtroom experience to every Dundalk case, giving parents both seasoned legal strategy and heartfelt support.

Here is what our attorneys do for you

Investigate thoroughly – We secure medical charts, interview hospital staff, and consult neonatal experts to uncover exactly how the injury happened.
Build a compelling case – Our team prepares chronologies, life-care plans, and expert reports that prove negligence and document lifetime costs.
Negotiate and litigate aggressively– Whether facing Johns Hopkins or a major insurer, we push for full compensation and are ready for trial if a fair settlement is refused.
Manage every deadline – Maryland’s strict statute of limitations (§ 5-109) can bar late claims; we file on time and preserve crucial evidence before it disappears.
Lift the burden from parents – By handling paperwork, hearings, and insurer calls, we let families focus on therapy sessions, medical appointments, and simply caring for their child.
Offer contingency-fee access – You pay no retainer and no attorney fee unless we win, making justice possible no matter a family’s finances.

What compensation can I recover through a cerebral palsy lawsuit?

A malpractice claim can secure the money your child needs now and for decades to come.
We pursue every legally available category of damages because lifetime cerebral-palsy care can exceed $1 million for medical treatment alone.

Compensation we fight to obtain

Medical expenses – past hospital bills and all future surgeries, therapy sessions, medications, wheelchairs, and communication devices.
Long-term care & rehabilitation – in-home aides, special-education services, and home or vehicle modifications that let a child move safely and learn.
Lost income or earning capacity – wages a parent sacrifices to become a full-time caregiver and the child’s future earnings reduced by disability.
Pain, suffering & loss of quality of life – the daily physical challenges and emotional impact cerebral palsy imposes on the child and family.
Other damages – mental anguish, loss of companionship, and, in egregious cases, punitive damages to punish reckless conduct.

Maryland places no cap on economic damages, so we can claim the full cost of medical and life-care needs. For noneconomic damages, the 2025 cap is $905,000, increased to $1,131,250 when there are two or more wrongful-death beneficiaries, figures we build into settlement demands and courtroom presentations.

What do other clients say about their experience with our attorneys?

Former clients describe our team as compassionate listeners who turned their fear into confidence.They value clear updates, personal attention from Jonathan Schochor or Kerry Staton, and the relief of knowing seasoned trial lawyers were fighting for their child’s future.

“We would highly recommend the firm to anyone needing legal assistance as we did. Jim and his team were always available to answer questions and guide us thru (sic) the process.” Mike Mantua

“I am so glad I chose this firm! They make the process appear easy. Jim Cardea and his team were very receptive to my feedback as a client, responsive and quick to provide updates, and accommodating. I highly recommend contracting with them for your needs. They were present during difficult times which made me feel at ease.” LA Jones

These voices matter because they come from parents who stood where you stand now, uncertain, overwhelmed, and searching for hope.Their words show how our attorneys combine legal skill with genuine care to guide families through the toughest chapter of their lives.

What if I cannot afford a lawyer for my child’s cerebral palsy case?

No family should be denied justice because of cost. We accept cerebral palsy cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and owe us no attorney fee unless we recover compensation.

This model shifts every financial risk to our firm, not to parents already juggling therapy bills and daily care expenses.It also aligns our incentives with yours, we work harder and invest in top medical experts because our fee depends on winning the funds your child needs.

Free consultations, 24/7 availability, and home or hospital visits remove additional barriers for Dundalk families. If you believe negligence harmed your baby, reaching out costs you nothing and could secure a lifetime of resources.

How long do I have to file a cerebral palsy lawsuit in Maryland?

Maryland law sets strict deadlines that can close the courthouse doors if a claim is filed late.
Parents generally have three years from the date they discover the injury, or five years from the date it occurred, whichever comes first (Md. Courts & Judicial Proc. § 5-109).

Because cerebral palsy may not be diagnosed until months after birth, the “discovery” rule can extend the clock, but the five-year outer limit never moves.
Waiting risks more than missing the statute; electronic fetal-monitor data can be deleted, and witnesses’ memories fade.

We calculate every deadline the moment we accept a case, file required certificates of merit, and move quickly to preserve medical records before they disappear.
If you think malpractice played a role, contact us now, acting today protects your child’s right to future compensation.

How can I get help from a Dundalk cerebral palsy lawyer today?

Reaching us is quick and worry-free. Call (443) 909-2792 or fill out our short online form to schedule a free, confidential consultation with Jonathan Schochor or Kerry Staton.

Our office at 1211 St Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21202 sits just 15 minutes from Dundalk via I-95, I-895, or the Key Bridge; we also arrange virtual meetings or in-home visits for families in Turner Station, Merritt Park, North Point, and surrounding neighborhoods. We answer phones 24/7 because medical questions and financial stress don’t keep business hours.

The moment you contact us, we gather records, secure expert opinions, and begin protecting your child’s rights, at no cost unless we win compensation. You’ve carried this burden long enough; let our attorneys fight for the answers, accountability, and financial support your family deserves today.

How can I get help from a Dundalk cerebral palsy lawyer today?

Reaching us is quick and worry-free. Call (443) 909-2792 or fill out our short online form to schedule a free, confidential consultation with Jonathan Schochor or Kerry Staton.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was my child’s cerebral palsy preventable?
Many cases are; oxygen loss, delivery delays, or untreated infections often cause CP and should have been avoided with proper care. We review records and consult specialists to confirm whether negligence, not chance, caused your child’s injury.

How long do we have to sue in Maryland?
Maryland’s statute of limitations is three years from discovery or five years from the injury, whichever comes first. Contacting us quickly lets us file on time and preserve crucial fetal-monitor data and witness memories.

What’s my case worth after the 2025 damages cap?
Economic losses, medical bills, equipment, lifetime care, have no cap and often exceed seven figures; noneconomic damages are limited to $905,000 for 2025 injuries. We calculate both categories and fight for every dollar your child will need.

Who pays for future therapies and equipment?
A successful verdict or settlement is funded by the hospital’s insurer or the physician’s malpractice carrier, not by you. We structure payouts, lump sum or periodic, to cover therapies, wheelchairs, home modifications, and in-home aides.

What if the hospital blames genetics instead of malpractice?
Defendants often shift blame, but genetic CP is rare. We counter with independent neurologists and geneticists who analyze scans and family history to show the injury arose from preventable oxygen loss or trauma, not heredity.

What makes today the right time to act for your child’s future?

Every week that passes can erode evidence, shorten Maryland’s filing window, and delay the therapies your child deserves now. By starting today, we can preserve fetal-monitor data, lock in expert witnesses, and pursue compensation before costs outpace resources.

Our attorneys have the experience, the medical networks, and the courtroom results to transform answers into action. Reach out, let’s turn uncertainty into a plan that funds your child’s care, adapts your home, and secures lifelong dignity.