If your child’s cerebral palsy may have been caused by a medical mistake in Essex, you deserve answers and a way forward. Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton lead a dedicated team at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. that has spent four decades fighting for children hurt by negligent health-care providers.
We combine proven courtroom strength with genuine compassion so families from Newark to Montclair feel supported while we pursue justice. Call Essex cerebral palsy attorneys Jonathan Schochor or Kerry Staton at (443) 909-2792 for immediate, 24/7 help, or send us a quick message and we’ll reach out today
Who Are Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton, and Why Trust Them with Your Cerebral Palsy Case?
Jonathan Schochor has recovered substantial verdicts and settlements in complex birth-injury litigation for more than 35 years. Kerry Staton is a relentless trial advocate known for turning dense medical records into clear, compelling stories for juries. Together we have secured billions for injured clients, earned national legal honors, and built a reputation for meticulous preparation.
With over 35 years of experience in medical malpractice advocacy, Jonathan is a co-founder of Schochor, Staton, Goldberg & Cardea, P.A. He has secured over a billion dollars for families affected by injuries and has received three “Trial Lawyer of the Year” awards. He holds a top rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Top 100 Lawyers, and Super Lawyers for his skills in the courtroom.
Kerry is known for winning important birth-injury cases that have set records in the state. She is a co-founder of the firm and has been recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in Baltimore by Best Lawyers in America, as well as “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by Top 100 Lawyers. She often speaks about medical malpractice law and is a respected voice in the Maryland legislature.
Parents choose us because we field the right medical experts, fund the entire investigation, and treat every client like family.
What Experience Does Our Team Have with Cerebral Palsy and Birth-Injury Cases?
The birth-injury attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. have handled more than 200 neonatal brain-injury claims in the last ten years alone. We have litigated matters arising at major Essex hospitals and throughout northern New Jersey.
How Can Medical Malpractice During Birth Lead to Cerebral Palsy?
Medical negligence can convert an otherwise healthy delivery into lifelong disability. Roughly ten percent of cerebral palsy cases trace back to preventable errors.
Common Preventable Errors
- Failure to Prevent Oxygen Deprivation
Nurses must track fetal-heart strips and alert physicians to distress. Ignoring falling heart rates can starve a baby’s brain of oxygen within minutes. - Improper Use of Delivery Tools
Forceps or vacuum extractors require precise technique. Excessive traction can fracture the skull or trigger intracranial bleeding. - Untreated Umbilical-Cord Problems
A prolapsed or nuchal cord cuts off oxygen. Quick recognition and emergency delivery avert damage. Hesitation does not. - Delayed C-Section After Prolonged Labor
Labor that drags on stresses both mother and child. When size, position, or distress signals call for surgical delivery, delay is dangerous. - Failure to Treat Maternal Infection
Untreated chorioamnionitis or other infections inflame fetal brain tissue and raise CP risk.
These injuries were avoidable had caregivers followed established standards.
Could My Doctor Have Prevented My Child’s Cerebral Palsy?
Often, yes. A timely C-section, attentive monitoring, or basic infection control would have averted the harm. Our legal-medical team reviews Apgar scores, cord-blood gases, and neonatal imaging to pinpoint where the standard of care broke down.
What Are Some Rare Birth Injuries and Conditions That Can Lead to Cerebral Palsy?
Even uncommon scenarios can produce catastrophic outcomes, and we prepare for each:
- Untreated Newborn Jaundice (Kernicterus)– Excess bilirubin crosses the blood–brain barrier when phototherapy is delayed.
- Neonatal Hypoglycemia– Low blood sugar in infants of diabetic mothers can kill brain cells within hours if unnoticed.
- Undiagnosed Thyroid or Metabolic Disorders– Missed screening for congenital hypothyroidism or inborn metabolic errors halts brain development.
- Fetal Stroke or Intracranial Hemorrhage– Mismanaged maternal hypertension or rough instrument delivery may trigger a bleed doctors fail to detect.
- Untreated Neonatal Infections– Failure to identify early meningitis or sepsis can leave irreversible neurologic damage.
Our attorneys understand these medical nuances and know which specialists to engage.
How Will Our Essex Cerebral Palsy Lawyers Prove That Malpractice Occurred?
We follow a disciplined four-step process:
- Free Initial Evaluation – We listen, explain your rights, and outline next moves.
- Medical-Record Retrieval and Expert Review – Obstetricians, neonatologists, and pediatric neurologists scrutinize every chart entry, heart-rate strip, and imaging study.
- Standard of Care Comparison – We show how competent providers would have acted and where deviations occurred.
- Expert Testimony and Filing – Qualified experts sign New Jersey’s required Affidavit of Merit, and we file in Essex within statutory deadlines.
Because we frequently litigate in Newark’s courthouse, we understand local judicial expectations and jury attitudes.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Cerebral Palsy Malpractice Case?
Economic damages pay for concrete costs:
- Lifetime medical and therapy expenses
- Mobility aids, home modifications, and assistive technology
- Lost earning capacity of the child and caregiving parent
Non-economic damages recognize pain, suffering, and loss of life’s joys. In extreme misconduct, punitive damages may punish the provider. Our life-care planners and economists calculate future needs so the award truly secures your child’s future.
Raising a child with CP in New Jersey can exceed one million dollars over a lifetime. Litigation seeks to cover that burden.
Why Choose a Local Essex Lawyer for a Cerebral Palsy Case?
Medical-malpractice law is state-specific. The Essex cerebral palsy attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. know New Jersey’s affidavit requirements, pre-suit notice rules, and damage caps. We appear regularly before Essex vicinage judges and understand what evidence resonates with local juries.
Our proximity means we can visit Newark Beth Israel, Saint Barnabas, or your home quickly, gather records in person, and remain accessible while you focus on caregiving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I sue a doctor or hospital for causing my child’s cerebral palsy?
Yes. If expert review shows negligence during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or neonatal care, New Jersey law permits a claim on your child’s behalf.
How long do I have to file?
Generally, birth-injury actions may be filed until the child’s thirteenth birthday, but evidence fades fast. Acting now protects your rights.
How much does it cost to hire you?
We work on contingency. You pay nothing up front and owe no fee unless we recover compensation.
My child’s CP was diagnosed at age three. Is it too late?
Not necessarily. Many families discover the truth years later. We can still analyze records and pursue accountability, but prompt action helps.
Will we have to go to court?
Most cases settle, but we prepare every file for trial. If a courtroom becomes necessary, our team handles everything so you can focus on your child.
Where can I find local support?
Families often turn to Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey in Livingston and therapy programs at Children’s Specialized Hospital. Legal action can secure funds to access these resources.
Next Steps: What Should You Do If You Suspect Medical Negligence in Your Child’s Birth?
- Gather Records – Request prenatal, labor-and-delivery, and NICU charts.
- Record Your Memories – Write down what you recall. Details fade with time.
- Avoid Signing Releases – Hospitals may seek early waivers. Consult counsel first.
- Call Us for Help – Our Essex cerebral palsy lawyer Jonathan Schochor or Kerry Staton will review your case at no charge.
Taking action not only protects your child’s future but also drives safer practices for every baby born in Essex.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
The birth-injury lawyers at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. are ready to help today. Call (443) 909-2792 or complete the form below for a no-obligation, 24/7 case review. We charge nothing unless we win, and we can meet in Newark, Montclair, Bloomfield or in your living room if that is easiest.
You have carried this load long enough. Let our experienced advocates lift the legal weight while you focus on your child’s care and healing.