Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton devote their careers to protecting children injured by medical negligence. Our founding partners bring more than 80 combined years of courtroom experience and a long list of multimillion-dollar birth-injury results.

When a Waldorf family calls, Attorney Jonathan Schochor immediately assembles obstetric and neonatal experts to review every page of the medical record. Attorney Kerry Staton then turns those findings into a clear story for insurers or a jury. Together, we shoulder the legal burden so parents can focus on their child’s care.

Our approach is personal: Mr. Schochor or Mr. Staton speaks with you directly, explains each option, and answers every question in plain language. That hands-on style, backed by the resources of Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A., has earned our Waldorf cerebral palsy attorneys a reputation for compassionate and relentless advocacy.  Call (443) 909-2792 or fill out our secure form for a free consultation with the team.

What Is Cerebral Palsy and How Does It Impact Families?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a permanent disorder that affects movement and muscle coordination. It stems from brain damage or abnormal brain development occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. A child with CP may struggle with balance, speech, fine-motor skills, or walking. Therapies help, but there is no cure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates lifetime care costs approach $1 million per individual, covering surgeries, adaptive equipment, therapies, and home modifications. Those costs, combined with emotional stress, can overwhelm families. Understanding the condition and its cause is the first step toward securing financial resources and peace of mind.

Can Medical Malpractice Cause Cerebral Palsy?

Yes, substandard medical care is a well-documented cause of cerebral palsy. Oxygen deprivation, excessive mechanical force, or untreated maternal infection during labor can injure a newborn’s brain. If a doctor ignores fetal distress, delays a needed C-section, or mishandles forceps, that negligence may be the decisive factor in a CP diagnosis. Our Waldorf birth-injury attorneys hire board-certified obstetricians and neonatologists to confirm whether your child’s injury was preventable.

What Birth Injuries Commonly Lead to Cerebral Palsy?

  • Birth Asphyxia: Too little oxygen during labor or delivery causes hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a leading CP trigger.
  • Delayed Cesarean Section: When labor stalls or fetal heart tracings show distress, every minute counts. Delay increases brain-injury risk.
  • Improper Instrument Use: Misapplied forceps or vacuum extractors can cause skull fractures or intracranial bleeding.
  • Untreated Maternal Infection: Conditions such as chorioamnionitis or Group B strep can inflame a newborn’s brain if not treated promptly.
  • Severe Jaundice: Kernicterus, though rarer today, remains a preventable source of CP when bilirubin levels are ignored.

Are There Uncommon Birth Injury Cases That Can Lead to Cerebral Palsy?

  • Uterine Rupture or Cord Prolapse: Both emergencies cut off oxygen within minutes; failure to act swiftly can leave lasting brain damage.
  • Rh Incompatibility: Untreated hemolytic disease may cause fetal stroke and subsequent CP.
  • Silent In-Utero Stroke: Subtle fetal distress overlooked on monitoring strips can mask a developing brain injury.
  • Breech Extraction Errors: Mishandling a foot-first delivery may twist or compress the neck, injuring the spinal cord and brain.
  • Anesthesia Mismanagement: Excess maternal sedation can drop blood pressure, reducing placental blood flow at a critical moment.

Our legal team investigates each rare path carefully; even an uncommon error can justify a malpractice claim.

How Do Waldorf Cerebral Palsy Lawyers Help Families?

First, we offer a free consultation where Attorney Jonathan Schochor or Attorney Kerry Staton listens to your story and outlines immediate next steps. Next, our team orders complete prenatal, labor, and neonatal records, then partners with specialists to pinpoint every departure from accepted medical standards.

We explain liability clearly, whether the fault rests with an OB/GYN, a nurse, or the hospital itself, and pursue compensation through negotiation or, when necessary, trial. All work is on a contingency fee, so you owe nothing unless we obtain a recovery. Throughout the case, our Waldorf cerebral palsy attorneys keep you informed while you focus on your child.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Birth Injury in Maryland?

  • Delivering Physician: Failure to act on fetal distress or misuse of instruments creates direct liability.
  • Nursing Staff: Inadequate monitoring or delayed escalation of concerns can share blame.
  • Hospital: Under vicarious liability, the facility answers for employee negligence and dangerous policies.
  • Medical Practice Groups: If the negligent provider is an employee, the practice bears responsibility.
  • Additional Specialists: Anesthesiologists or pediatricians may face claims for medication or post-delivery errors.

Identifying every defendant maximizes available insurance coverage for your child’s future needs.

When Should I Contact a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer in Waldorf?

Immediately after diagnosis or even sooner if you suspect delivery mistakes. Maryland’s statute of limitations generally gives parents five years from the injury or three years from discovery, whichever is earlier. Children may sue until age 21, but waiting risks lost evidence. Early legal counsel preserves records and safeguards your rights.

What Compensation Can We Recover in a Cerebral Palsy Malpractice Case?

  • Medical and Therapy Costs: Past bills plus projected lifetime expenses for surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
  • Special Education & Equipment: Funds for individualized instruction, mobility aids, communication devices, and home modifications.
  • Lost Income: Wages caregivers forgo and the child’s future earning capacity.
  • Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for diminished quality of life, subject to Maryland’s statutory cap.
  • Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Travel, respite care, and other costs directly tied to the injury.

We use life-care planners and economists to document every dollar your family will require.

Why Choose Our Waldorf Cerebral Palsy Lawyers?

  • Focused Experience: Birth injuries and medical malpractice are at the core of our practice.
  • Compassionate Advocacy: Clients praise Attorney Schochor’s direct communication and Attorney Staton’s courtroom tenacity.
  • Deep Resources: We advance expert fees, medical animations, and day-in-the-life videos to strengthen your claim.
  • Local Knowledge: Our attorneys know Charles County juries, judges, and medical systems, giving your case a strategic edge.

Where Can I Find Support and Resources in Waldorf for Cerebral Palsy?

  • Hospitals & Clinics: UM Charles Regional Medical Center and MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital offer pediatric specialists, while Kennedy Krieger Institute provides world-class rehabilitation.
  • Early Intervention: Charles County’s Infants and Toddlers Program delivers in-home PT, OT, and speech services at no cost.
  • Community Support: United Cerebral Palsy of Maryland and local parent groups facilitate peer mentoring and equipment exchanges.
  • Education Services: Charles County Public Schools create Individualized Education Programs that secure therapies and classroom accommodations.
  • Legal Guidance: Our firm connects families with special-needs financial planners and government benefit advisors.

Call for a Free, Compassionate Case Review

Every day without answers feels endless when your child has cerebral palsy. Call (443) 909-2792 or fill out our secure form for a free consultation with Attorney Jonathan Schochor or Attorney Kerry Staton. Our Waldorf cerebral palsy lawyers are ready to pursue justice and the resources your child deserves today.