Our Baltimore attorneys have protected children harmed by medical negligence since 1984, recovering more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for families like yours.
Located at 1211 St Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21202—minutes from I-83 and I-695—we can meet clients statewide, from Baltimore City to Rockville, at no cost.
We know a cerebral palsy diagnosis changes everything, and we respond with both legal muscle and genuine compassion.
When you call (443) 909-2792 for a free consultation, our team immediately secures prenatal, labor-and-delivery, and NICU records, then partners with leading obstetric and neurology experts to confirm whether preventable errors—such as untreated fetal distress or a delayed C-section—caused your child’s injury.
That rapid, expert-driven approach often pressures hospitals to settle early and fairly; if they refuse, we have the trial experience to finish the fight in court.
Ready to talk about your child’s future? Call or message us today, and let our Maryland cerebral-palsy team shoulder the legal burden so your family can focus on care and healing.
What is cerebral palsy and why does its cause matter in a malpractice claim?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurological disorders that permanently affect muscle tone, posture, and movement because a baby’s brain was damaged before, during, or shortly after birth. About 800,000 Americans live with CP, and another 10,000 infants receive the diagnosis each year, making it the most common lifelong motor disability in childhood.
The condition itself is not hereditary; the brain injury triggers it. That injury can stem from unavoidable developmental issues, but it also often follows preventable events such as oxygen deprivation (birth asphyxia), trauma from instrumented deliveries, or untreated maternal infections.
Determining the exact cause is crucial because Maryland malpractice law compensates families only when medical negligence—rather than fate—produced the harm. Pinpointing when and how the brain injury occurred lets experts connect missed fetal-distress warnings or delayed C-sections to the child’s disability, laying the foundation for a successful claim.
What medical mistakes commonly lead to cerebral palsy —and could they have been prevented?
Preventable errors during pregnancy, labor, and delivery can convert an otherwise healthy birth into a lifetime diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Oxygen deprivation is the single most frequent trigger, yet it is seldom inevitable when caregivers follow accepted standards of care.
Common negligent acts we uncover:
- Failure to monitor fetal distress. Doctors and nurses must read electronic fetal-heart strips in real time; when they miss or ignore repeated late decelerations, a baby can lose crucial oxygen for minutes that permanently injure the brain.
- Delay in ordering an emergency C-section. Once fetal distress appears, every minute counts; waiting even 10–15 minutes can extend hypoxia long enough to cause irreversible damage.
- Mismanaged prolonged or obstructed labor. Allowing labor to drag on without intervention raises the risk of uterine rupture, placental abruption, or cord compression—each a direct path to brain injury.
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors. These tools must be applied with precision; excessive traction or multiple failed attempts can bruise or bleed the baby’s brain and trigger CP-related lesions.
- Untreated maternal infections or fever. Conditions such as chorioamnionitis inflame the fetal brain; prompt antibiotics usually prevent harm, but negligence occurs when infections go undiagnosed or untreated.
- Umbilical cord complications left unaddressed. A prolapsed cord or nuchal cord that cuts off oxygen demands immediate action; failure to reposition the mother or deliver quickly can be catastrophic.
- Poor management of high-risk pregnancies. Breech presentations, twin gestations, and mothers with hypertension require heightened vigilance; ignoring these red flags violates the standard of care and magnifies CP risk.
Each of these scenarios is avoidable with proper training, communication, and response protocols. When we review medical records, expert obstetricians pinpoint the precise moment a provider should have acted—evidence that turns a heartbreaking outcome into a provable malpractice claim.
Could rare medical errors also cause cerebral palsy—and how do we uncover them?
Uncommon mistakes can injure a baby’s brain just as surely as the better-known delivery errors, and families may never learn the link unless an attorney and medical experts dig deeper. We recognize these red-flag scenarios and line up subspecialists to confirm whether negligence played a hidden role.
Less-common but still preventable causes we investigate:
- Untreated newborn jaundice (kernicterus). Severe jaundice left unchecked lets toxic bilirubin seep into brain tissue; a simple phototherapy protocol almost always prevents this outcome.
- Medication errors during pregnancy or delivery. Incorrect dosages of anesthesia or contraindicated drugs can drop a baby’s blood pressure and oxygen levels, harming delicate brain cells within minutes.
- Undiagnosed maternal conditions leading to fetal stroke. High blood pressure, clotting disorders, or preeclampsia demand aggressive management; ignoring them can let a clot block blood flow to the fetal brain.
- Missed neonatal infections or seizures. A newborn with meningitis or uncontrolled seizures needs immediate antibiotics or anticonvulsants; delays allow inflammation to destroy brain tissue and trigger CP-like deficits.
We flag these rarer threads because the “why” still matters: proving a preventable cause opens the door to compensation that funds lifelong care.
How can parents know if medical negligence caused their child’s cerebral palsy?
Determining malpractice demands a systematic medical-legal investigation that families cannot perform alone. Our attorneys immediately coordinate with board-certified obstetric, neonatal, and neurology experts to pinpoint exactly when and how the brain injury occurred—evidence that distinguishes unavoidable tragedy from preventable error.
We follow a proven six-step review:
- Collect complete records – prenatal charts, fetal-monitor strips, labor notes, NICU logs, imaging, and Apgar scores reveal red flags an initial discharge summary might hide.
- Analyze fetal-distress data – late decelerations or low oxygen levels show whether doctors ignored warning signs that demanded a rapid C-section.
- Match timing of symptoms – a baby needing immediate resuscitation or scoring ≤3 at one minute old points to a birth-asphyxia event, not genetics.
- Consult specialty experts – independent clinicians compare the care team’s actions to accepted standards and issue a Certificate of Merit required by Maryland law.
- Rule out non-negligent causes – genetic testing and maternal histories eliminate alternative explanations, strengthening causal proof.
- Quantify lifelong impact – life-care planners calculate future medical, therapy, and equipment costs to ensure the claim covers every need.
This rigorous process matters because Maryland courts compensate only when evidence shows sub-standard care directly triggered the child’s disability. Families deserve certainty—and financial resources—after a preventable injury.
“Great group of attorneys! If I could give 10 stars I would. Their attention to detail, responsiveness and client care is second to none. Highly recommend Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea for any medical malpractice needs.” – Haley Higgins
“S,S,G,C provided exceptional service with a perfect balance of professionalism and personable care. Their knowledgeable team explained every detail clearly, leaving no question unanswered.” – David Vidmar
“I can’t recommend Jim Cardea enough. His attention to detail is second to none. He makes you feel more like family than a client.” Brittany Zook
You pay nothing unless we win; our contingency structure lets parents focus on their child’s care while we shoulder the legal burden.
How long do Maryland parents have to file a cerebral palsy malpractice lawsuit?
Maryland imposes strict deadlines that can close the courthouse doors even in strong cases.
Families generally have five years from the date of the injury or three years from when the injury was discovered—whichever comes first under Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-109.
Birth-injury claims add another wrinkle: because the patient is a minor, Maryland law often lets a suit be filed until the child’s 11th birthday if the statutory period would otherwise expire sooner. Yet medical records fade, memories blur, and experts move, so waiting risks critical evidence.
Our attorneys move fast to secure charts, fetal-monitor strips, and eyewitness testimony while they remain intact. We also file the mandatory Certificate of Merit early, preserving the claim and putting negligent providers on notice.
If parents suspect malpractice, the safest choice is to call us at (443) 909-2792 right now—delay can forfeit a child’s right to the compensation that funds lifelong care.
What compensation can a Maryland cerebral-palsy claim provide—and why is it vital to your child’s future?
A successful lawsuit secures the money families need to give a child lifelong medical and support services without sinking into debt. Our job is to prove every dollar the injury will cost over a seventy-year lifespan and force the hospital’s insurer to cover it.
Damages we routinely pursue:
- Lifetime medical expenses. Hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, and therapies—physical, occupational, speech—often exceed $1 million for moderate CP and much more for severe cases.
- Special education and adaptive equipment. Maryland’s public programs help, but families still buy wheelchairs, communication devices, home modifications, and accessible vans; those costs add up quickly.
- Long-term personal and nursing care. Many children eventually need daily aides or residential care; we present life-care plans showing projected hourly or facility rates.
- Pain, suffering, and loss of life enjoyment. Maryland allows recovery for non-economic harm, though state law caps these awards; we document how the injury limits a child’s independence and activities.
- Lost earning capacity. Severe CP often prevents competitive employment; economists calculate wages the child would likely have earned.
- Parents’ lost income. When a parent quits or cuts hours to become a full-time caregiver, that economic loss belongs in the claim.
Why push for full compensation? Because specialized centers such as Baltimore’s Kennedy Krieger Institute deliver world-class therapy but charge premium rates, and a single adaptive van can cost $80,000. A robust settlement or verdict funds those necessities, lets parents focus on caregiving—not fundraising—and holds negligent providers accountable for the harm they caused.
What is the legal process for a Maryland cerebral-palsy malpractice case—and how do we guide families through it?
A cerebral-palsy lawsuit follows a clear set of steps, each designed to prove negligence and secure the funds your child will need for life.
We handle the heavy lifting so parents can focus on caregiving.
Our six-step roadmap:
- Free consultation & record collection. We obtain prenatal charts, fetal-monitor strips, delivery notes, NICU logs, and imaging—often within days—so nothing disappears.
- Expert review & Certificate of Merit. Board-certified obstetric and neurology specialists analyze the records; when they confirm sub-standard care, they sign the Certificate of Merit that Maryland law requires before filing.
- Filing with the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office. All Maryland malpractice claims start here; we meet the tight deadlines and procedural rules, then move the case to circuit court if settlement efforts stall.
- Discovery & evidence building. We depose doctors and nurses, reconstruct timelines, and create life-care plans that show the full financial impact of cerebral palsy.
- Settlement negotiations. Our proven verdict history pressures insurers to pay fair value; many cases resolve before trial, sparing families additional stress.
- Trial and verdict, if needed. If the defense resists, we present compelling medical testimony and day-in-the-life visuals to a jury—methods that have produced multi-million-dollar results.
Throughout the process, you owe no fees unless we recover compensation; our contingency model aligns our success with your child’s future security.
What should parents do right now if they believe malpractice caused their child’s cerebral palsy?
Immediate action protects both legal rights and vital evidence.
- Call us for a free consultation. One brief call to (443) 909-2792 connects you with attorneys who have handled birth-injury cases since 1984; we explain options and start protecting the claim.
- Secure medical records. Ask the hospital for prenatal, labor-and-delivery, and NICU charts. If paperwork feels overwhelming, we will obtain the records on your behalf at no cost up front.
- Keep a written timeline. Jot down pregnancy milestones, delivery details, and every doctor’s comment. A simple notebook entry preserves facts and feelings that fade with time.
- Track expenses and diagnoses. Save therapy bills, equipment receipts, and specialist reports; these documents prove damages later.
- Focus on your child’s care. While families schedule therapies and adapt their homes, we shoulder the legal burden—investigating negligence, lining up experts, and filing before deadlines close.
Ready to secure your child’s future? Call or message us today, and let our Maryland cerebral-palsy team fight for the resources your family deserves.
Where can Maryland families find help beyond the courtroom?
Maryland offers respected medical, educational, and community programs that ease the daily challenges of cerebral palsy.
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore. This renowned hospital delivers intensive therapy, assistive-technology evaluations, and specialized clinics that focus on tone management and mobility. We often coordinate with its therapists when estimating future care needs.
- Maryland Infants & Toddlers Program. Early-intervention services—speech, physical, and occupational therapy—from birth to age 3 are provided statewide at low or no cost; quick enrollment maximizes developmental gains.
- State Department of Education, Special Education Services. Local school districts must craft Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that include physical therapy, adaptive equipment, and transportation, allowing children to learn alongside peers when possible.
- Community support groups. Parent-run networks—such as Central Maryland CP Parents on Facebook—offer emotional support, equipment swaps, and practical advice on navigating insurance appeals and Medicaid waivers.
- Maryland Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers. These programs can fund in-home nursing, respite care, and modifications like wheelchair ramps once a child meets medical eligibility.
We keep a curated list of contacts for each service and gladly share it during your free consultation—because supporting a child with cerebral palsy takes a team, and our commitment extends beyond the lawsuit..
Ready to speak with a Maryland cerebral-palsy lawyer today?
We stand ready to shoulder the legal fight so your family can focus on your child’s care.
Our attorneys—Jonathan Schochor, Kerry Staton, and the team at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg & Cardea—offer free, compassionate consultations and handle every case on a contingency-fee basis: you pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
Call (443) 909-2792 or complete our secure online form to schedule your no-cost review.
We can meet in our Baltimore office at 1211 St Paul St or travel statewide—whatever eases the burden on your family.
Reach out today and let us fight for the resources and accountability your child deserves.