Cerebral palsy cases require compassionate, experienced legal advocacy.
If your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you likely have questions about what caused this condition and how your family can afford lifelong care. College Park cerebral palsy attorneys Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A., can help you find answers and seek justice.
Jonathan and Kerry each have over 35 years of focused experience handling birth injury and medical malpractice claims, particularly those involving cerebral palsy. Their extensive experience means they quickly recognize when medical negligence caused harm, and they know exactly how to build a strong legal case. Throughout their careers, they’ve achieved substantial multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, providing families crucial financial support.
Compassion is at the core of their legal practice. Jonathan and Kerry meet personally with each family, ensuring you feel supported and understood at every step. They regularly collaborate with medical experts, including neurologists and neonatologists, to clearly demonstrate how negligence caused your child’s condition.
College Park families trust Jonathan Schochor and Kerry D. Staton because they consistently combine proven legal results with a caring, client-focused approach. Our attorneys are dedicated not just to securing compensation for your child’s lifelong needs, but also helping your family move forward with confidence.
What Is Cerebral Palsy and Could It Be the Result of Medical Malpractice?
Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition affecting muscle coordination, movement, and posture, usually caused by brain damage during birth or pregnancy.
Common signs include stiff muscles, developmental delays, and impaired coordination. While not every case of cerebral palsy results from negligence, medical malpractice often contributes, such as oxygen deprivation, delays in performing a necessary C-section, or improper use of forceps during delivery.
According to CDC data, many cerebral palsy cases could have been prevented with proper medical intervention. If you suspect your child’s cerebral palsy resulted from medical errors, attorneys Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton can review your medical records and determine if malpractice occurred.
What Types of Cerebral Palsy Cases Do Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton Handle in Maryland?
Cerebral palsy can present in several forms, and attorneys Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton handle both common and uncommon cases caused by medical malpractice.
Common types include
- Spastic Cerebral Palsy: Marked by stiff muscles and difficulty with movement, affecting limbs or the whole body.
- Dyskinetic (Athetoid) Cerebral Palsy: Characterized by uncontrolled movements and muscle tone fluctuations.
Mixed Cerebral Palsy: A combination of multiple cerebral palsy types, often involving both spastic and dyskinetic symptoms.
Less common cases we handle
- Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: Causing balance issues and shaky movements, resulting from damage to the brain’s coordination center.
- Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy (“Floppy Baby”): Noted by weak muscle tone and limited motor control.
- Cerebral palsy caused by untreated severe newborn jaundice (kernicterus).
- Cerebral palsy linked to untreated maternal infections.
No matter the specific type of cerebral palsy, Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton have the specialized experience to build a strong case and help your family secure the support you need.
How Do You Know if Your Child’s Cerebral Palsy Was Caused by Negligence?
Certain red flags can indicate your child’s cerebral palsy resulted from medical negligence:
- Doctors or nurses failed to monitor signs of fetal distress.
- Prolonged labor went untreated despite clear warning signs.
- Medical providers improperly used delivery instruments like forceps or vacuum extractors.
- Maternal infections were undiagnosed or inadequately treated.
If you experienced any of these issues during pregnancy or delivery, attorneys Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton can conduct a thorough review of medical records and consult leading medical experts. This careful evaluation helps determine whether medical malpractice contributed to your child’s cerebral palsy.
How Do You Choose the Right Cerebral Palsy Lawyer in College Park, MD?
Choosing the right attorney is crucial when pursuing a cerebral palsy case. Families should prioritize lawyers with extensive experience specifically in cerebral palsy and birth injury litigation. Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton have dedicated over 35 years to successfully resolving these complex claims, securing significant multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for affected families.
During an initial consultation, it’s important to discuss how many cerebral palsy cases an attorney has successfully handled, request specific examples of past case results, and understand their approach to communication and client support throughout litigation. Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton are always ready to address these concerns, offering compassionate, personalized attention alongside their proven legal expertise. Their approach ensures your family is supported and understood every step of the way.
What Compensation Is Available for Families in a Maryland Cerebral Palsy Case?
Families pursuing a cerebral palsy malpractice case in Maryland can recover compensation for medical expenses, lifelong therapy, rehabilitation, and specialized equipment. Additional recoverable damages include lost wages if a parent has stopped working to care for the child, as well as pain, suffering, and emotional distress, subject to Maryland’s legal caps.
Attorneys Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton work closely with medical and financial experts to accurately project your child’s long-term care needs and costs. Their careful, detailed approach ensures your family receives the maximum compensation necessary to support your child’s health and quality of life into the future.
When Should You Contact a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer in Maryland?
It’s important to contact a cerebral palsy lawyer as soon as possible. Maryland law typically requires medical malpractice claims to be filed within five years from the date of injury or three years from the date of discovery, whichever comes first. Special considerations sometimes apply in birth injury cases involving minors, but delaying can weaken your case significantly.
Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton emphasize acting swiftly to preserve critical evidence and witness testimony. By reaching out immediately, our attorneys can thoroughly investigate your situation and begin working promptly to secure the compensation and justice your family deserves.
What Is the Process of Filing a Cerebral Palsy Malpractice Lawsuit in Maryland?
The process begins with a careful review of your medical records and a consultation with medical experts to identify any negligence. Attorneys Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton will then file a formal complaint with the Maryland courts, including a required Certificate of Merit from a qualified medical professional confirming malpractice occurred.
Next, both sides exchange evidence during the discovery phase, conducting depositions of key witnesses and medical personnel. Often, settlement negotiations follow, but if an adequate offer isn’t presented, Jonathan and Kerry are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
Upon resolution, they help structure the settlement or award, ensuring your child’s long-term needs are fully met. Our attorneys remain by your family’s side throughout this entire process, providing clear communication and compassionate guidance at every step.
Why Should You Hire Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton Specifically for Your College Park Cerebral Palsy Case?
Hiring local attorneys with deep Maryland roots is crucial for your cerebral palsy case. Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton have decades of experience handling cerebral palsy and birth injury claims throughout Maryland, including extensive familiarity with hospitals like Holy Cross Hospital, Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Their strong connections with local medical experts and understanding of Prince George’s County courts help them build effective cases. Conveniently located near College Park and accessible via major routes such as I-495 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, our attorneys offer personalized, compassionate representation. Jonathan and Kerry are committed not only to obtaining justice and compensation but also to supporting your family throughout the entire legal journey.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with Experienced College Park Cerebral Palsy Attorneys
If you believe medical negligence caused your child’s cerebral palsy, attorneys Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton are here to help. We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to discuss your family’s legal options. Whether you prefer meeting at our office or need us to visit you at home in College Park, our attorneys accommodate your needs and provide compassionate guidance.
Take the first step toward justice and financial security today. Contact Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A., located at 1211 St. Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21202, or call (443) 909-2792. We’re ready to stand by your family’s side and help secure the future your child deserves.