Who Are Your Advocates in an Owings Mills Cerebral Palsy Case?
The first people you should call after a cerebral palsy diagnosis are the Owings Mills cerebral palsy lawyers Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg & Cardea, P.A. We have protected Maryland families since 1984 from our Baltimore office at 1211 St Paul St. Our record of multi-million-dollar birth-injury recoveries means we know how to fund a child’s lifetime care.
Jonathan Schochor
Co-founder, 40+ years of medical-malpractice litigation, repeatedly named to Best Lawyers and Top 100 Lawyers. Jonathan Schochor has guided landmark birth-injury cases that reshaped hospital safety.
Attorney Spotlight – Kerry Staton, Esq.
Nationally recognized trial lawyer with decades of courtroom victories, Kerry Staton blends compassionate client service with relentless cross-examination skills that win verdicts.
Our Owings Mills birth injury attorneys work on a contingency fee, no fee unless we win, so every family can pursue justice without added financial stress.
Need answers fast? Schedule your free case review with an Owings Mills birth-injury attorney by dialing (410) 234-1000.
Why Does Cerebral Palsy Happen?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a permanent motor disorder caused by brain damage that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. Not every CP case stems from malpractice, yet preventable medical errors contribute to far too many diagnoses. When doctors miss fetal distress signals or delay urgent interventions, oxygen deprivation can harm a baby’s brain within minutes.
National studies show 1 in 345 U.S. children has CP, and research links significant percentages to delivery-room mistakes. If your delivery included emergency alarms, a rushed C-section, or immediate resuscitation, negligence may have played a role.
What Medical Mistakes Commonly Cause Cerebral Palsy in Newborns?
Our Owings Mills cerebral palsy attorneys routinely uncover patterns such as:
- Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress – ignoring abnormal heart-rate strips that warned of hypoxia.
- Delayed Emergency C-Section – waiting too long after placental abruption or uterine rupture.
- Improper Use of Forceps or Vacuum – excessive traction that causes intracranial bleeding.
- Untreated Birth Asphyxia – slow response when a newborn is not breathing.
- Undiagnosed Maternal Infections – unmanaged Group B strep or chorioamnionitis reaching the fetus.
- Umbilical Cord Complications – missed cord prolapse or tight nuchal cords cutting off oxygen.
- Severe Neonatal Jaundice – failure to treat high bilirubin levels, risking kernicterus.
Each error was preventable through standard obstetric training. We comb hospital records and fetal monitor data to prove exactly what went wrong.
Can Less Obvious Errors Also Lead to Cerebral Palsy?
Yes. Our cerebral palsy malpractice lawyers have litigated unusual scenarios:
- Anesthesia Mishaps causing maternal hypotension and fetal oxygen loss.
- Excessive Pitocin that overstimulates contractions and triggers uterine rupture.
- Uncontrolled Preeclampsia where dangerous blood-pressure spikes were ignored.
- Negligent NICU Care such as failing to treat newborn seizures promptly.
- Mishandled Shoulder Dystocia leading to prolonged head-to-body delivery intervals and hypoxia.
No matter how unique the facts, if professionals deviated from accepted standards, we pursue accountability.
How Do I Know If My Child’s Cerebral Palsy Was Caused by Malpractice?
Parents often suspect negligence but lack proof. Red flags include:
- Low Apgar scores, emergency intubation, or therapeutic hypothermia immediately after birth.
- A sudden switch from routine labor to frantic activity without clear explanation.
- Chart notes referencing “birth asphyxia,” “HIE,” or “fetal distress” with delayed intervention.
Our Owings Mills cerebral palsy litigation team offers free case evaluations. We partner with board-certified obstetric and neonatal experts to review records and pinpoint whether substandard care caused the brain injury.
What Costs Can a Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit in Maryland Cover?
Caring for a child with CP can exceed $1 to $3 million across a lifetime. Maryland law allows recovery of:
- Past and Future Medical Expenses – surgeries, therapies, medications, adaptive equipment.
- Rehabilitation and In-Home Care – physical, occupational, and speech therapy, plus professional aides.
- Special Education & Home Modifications – wheelchair-accessible vans, ramps, communication devices.
- Parents’ Lost Income – wages forfeited to provide full-time care.
- Pain, Suffering, and Loss of Life’s Pleasures – capped non-economic damages we fight to maximize.
A successful claim finances independence aids and eases the family’s financial anxiety.
