New York Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

The New York Cerebral Palsy Lawyers at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf have more than 100 years of experience representing the families of babies who have been injured or have died as the result of medical malpractice involving infant brain injuries and other injuries related to complications during prenatal care, labor, delivery, or newborn care. Call our Manhattan Law Firm for a free consultation at (212)-943-1090.

Based in Manhattan but handling cases in NYC, New York metro and New York State, our Infant Brain Damage Attorneys have helped our clients successfully recover monetary damages for a litany of birth injuries including claims involving: spinal cord injuries, Erb's palsy, infections, broken limbs, cerebral palsy and nerve damage. They have achieved numerous verdicts and settlements that are among the largest in the country. Some of the more notable results include:

• $103,000,000 verdict (one of the largest ever) in a Broome County medical malpractice case on behalf of a baby brain damaged at birth.
• $90,939,857 jury verdict for a child whose cerebral palsy was due to the failure of an obstetrician to diagnose placental abruption and who thus delayed the cesarean section that was necessary to rescue the baby who was suffering from a lack of oxygen.
• $8,500,000 in an Erie County medical malpractice case in which a baby suffered brain damage as a result of negligent obstetrical care rendered by doctors and hospital personnel in failing to timely recognize signs of fetal distress.
• $8,000,000 settlement in a Nassau County medical malpractice case for a child rendered brain damage with cerebral palsy as a result of negligent obstetrical care rendered to the baby’s mother.
• $7,000,000 settlement in a medical malpractice case for a baby born with brain damage in Queens.
• $6,000,000 settlement in a medical malpractice case for a baby born with brain damage in Onondaga County.
• $5,750,000 settlement in a Kings County for a child rendered brain damage as a result of medical malpractice in the obstetrical care rendered to the baby’s mother.
• $5,400,000 settlement in a Monroe County case for a child rendered brain damage as a result of medical malpractice in the obstetrical care rendered to the baby’s mother.
• $5,000,000 settlement in a medical malpractice case for a baby born with brain damage in Otsego County.
• $4,750,000 settlement in a medical malpractice case for a baby born with brain damage in Queens.

The most serious baby injuries can be caused by oxygen deprivation to the infant's brain. The failure to perform a cesarean section, abuse of Pitocin, misuse of forceps or vacuum during delivery, or miscalculation of the size of the baby can all contribute to serious brain injuries of the baby. Sadly, most of these problems can be prevented, since most birth injuries are caused by a doctor failing to timely address problems during labor and delivery.

Our team of Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New York City includes 2 board-certified physicians who can assist in reviewing your case and can help you to understand the full medical scope of the injury. Our firm conducts exhaustive investigations, and we retain the most qualified experts to bring a comprehensive level of expertise to surpass that on the other side.

If necessary, we also retain expert accountants and financial analysts because many birth injury cases have their own set of associated losses including lost wages, the cost of care and many other monetary costs. In order to accurately assess what these costs will be for the remainder of a victim’s life, we use financial professionals to derive fair resolutions for injury victims.

Cerebral palsy litigation refers to legal actions taken by individuals or families who believe that medical negligence or malpractice during pregnancy, childbirth, or postnatal care may have led to the development of cerebral palsy in a child. It involves pursuing a lawsuit against healthcare providers or institutions for compensation.

Cerebral palsy litigation can arise from various factors, including:

• Birth injuries such as oxygen deprivation (asphyxia) during delivery.
• Failure to diagnose or treat infections or conditions during pregnancy that could contribute to cerebral palsy.
• Medication errors or improper medical procedures during childbirth.
• Delayed or improper response to fetal distress during labor.
• Inadequate monitoring of the mother and baby's health during labor and delivery.

No, cerebral palsy is not typically considered an acquired disability. It is a non-progressive neurological disorder that results from damage to the developing brain, often occurring before or during birth. In most cases, cerebral palsy is not acquired after birth, but rather, it is present from early childhood or infancy. Acquired disabilities are typically conditions or impairments that develop after birth due to injuries, illnesses, or other factors. Cerebral palsy is rooted in events or factors that affect brain development prior to or during childbirth, making it a congenital condition rather than an acquired one.

Typically, the parents or legal guardians of a child diagnosed with cerebral palsy can file a lawsuit on the child's behalf if they believe that medical malpractice or negligence was a factor in causing the condition. In some cases, adults with cerebral palsy may also consider legal action if they believe their condition resulted from medical negligence.

The primary goal of cerebral palsy litigation is to seek compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, therapy, and other related costs associated with the care of a child with cerebral palsy. Additionally, it may aim to hold healthcare providers or institutions accountable for any negligence or malpractice that contributed to the child's condition.

Responsibility for cerebral palsy can vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case. In some instances, medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or hospitals, may be held responsible if their negligence or malpractice during pregnancy, childbirth, or postnatal care contributed to the child's development of cerebral palsy. It's important to note that not all cases of cerebral palsy are the result of medical malpractice, as the condition can also be caused by factors beyond anyone's control, such as genetic mutations or prenatal infections. Determining responsibility typically requires a thorough investigation and legal evaluation by a qualified attorney specializing in medical malpractice cases.

Within our Manhattan personal injury law firm, we have attorneys and physicians who are remarkably experienced and adept in reading your obstetrical medical records and those that relate to your child. We scrupulously analyze the quality of the care that each of you received, and then we assess whether poor care before, during or after labor was a substantial contributing factor to your baby’s brain damage. If we decide that you have the sort of case that our office might agree to handle, we then send the records to outside, independent medical experts. We will not start a lawsuit until and unless these outside experts agree that you have a meritorious case.

The duration of cerebral palsy litigation can vary significantly. Some cases are settled relatively quickly, while others may take years to resolve, especially if they go to trial. The complexity of the case and the willingness of the parties to negotiate can impact the timeline.

It's highly recommended to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney if you believe medical negligence may have contributed to your child's cerebral palsy. An attorney can assess the strength of your case, guide you through the legal process, and advocate for your rights and the rights of your child.

Cerebral palsy compensation refers to the financial settlement or award that may be granted to the plaintiffs (typically parents or guardians of a child with cerebral palsy) if they prevail in a medical malpractice lawsuit. This compensation is intended to cover various costs associated with caring for a child with cerebral palsy, including medical expenses, therapy and rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other related damages. The specific amount of compensation can vary widely depending on the circumstances of the case and the extent of the child's injuries.

Potential outcomes of a cerebral palsy lawsuit can include a negotiated settlement, a judgment in your favor following a trial, or a dismissal if the case lacks merit. The outcome will depend on the strength of the evidence and the arguments presented during the legal proceedings.

It's important to note that cerebral palsy litigation can be complex and emotionally challenging. Consult with an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice to assess the viability of your case and guide you through the legal process.

Yes indeed. These cases are our unique sub-specialty and have been for many years. One of our attorneys was the first to teach attorneys around the country how to handle these cases. He literally wrote the book on Obstetrical Malpractice cases. His book on Failures in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Fetal Distress has long been the definitive work in the field. Our trial lawyers specialize in the trial of these cases and have obtained some of the largest verdicts in the world. Our firm has obtained verdicts in excess of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00) for Brain Damaged Babies. There are many law firms that claim that they handle these cases but who actually refer the cases out to other law firms. When law firms want the very best for their clients, they refer such cases to our law firm.

Malpractice can cause cerebral palsy, but there are many other possible causes (including cases in which the cause may remain undiscovered). Sometimes the cause is genetic. Cerebral palsy can also be due to something that happened during prenatal care. A common cause of cerebral palsy is premature birth.  Fetal distress (lack of oxygen or decreased blood flow to the baby's brain) can cause cerebral palsy. Physical trauma to the baby during labor or during delivery can cause cerebral palsy. Another cause is infection, including meningitis. Even deficiencies in the care of a newborn after birth can cause cerebral palsy.

Of all known risk factors for the subsequent diagnosis of cerebral palsy, prematurity is probably the most common. Prematurity is associated with an increased risk of immature lungs and this can cause difficulty in getting sufficient oxygen to the baby’s brain after birth. These babies are more likely to suffer brain bleeds called intraventricular hemorrhages (IVH) along with problems in other organs. Such babies are more likely to develop a type of brain damage called periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). Sometimes it is possible for us to demonstrate that a premature birth was avoidable.

Under the best of circumstances, vaginal delivery is a snug fit. The best two clues to the feasibility of safe vaginal delivery are the well-being of the baby and the progress of labor. If drugs such as Pitocin are given during labor, uterine contractions can become so strong that the baby’s head is subjected to physical trauma, especially if the baby’s head is malpositioned or is too large to fit through the mother’s pelvis efficiently and safely. In addition, forceps or vacuum extractors can cause physical trauma to the baby’s head if the forceps or vacuum is used improperly. Another cause of trauma to the baby’s head is the improper handling of a breech delivery.

Pitocin causes labor contractions to become stronger, more frequent, and longer lasting. There are 2 main ways that this can cause harm to the baby including brain-damage. The first way was mentioned in answer to the prior question. That is, too much Pitocin can cause physical trauma to the baby’s head, especially if the baby’s head is too big or is in the wrong position to fit easily through the mother’s pelvis. The second way that too much Pitocin can cause brain damage to the baby is related to the fact that during each labor contraction there is a temporary reduction in the amount of blood and oxygen going to the baby. So too much Pitocin can cause excessive contractions with diminished time for the baby to obtain the required oxygen. This can cause fetal distress. Both excessive labor contractions and any resulting fetal distress can reliably be seen on the fetal heart monitor.

The electronic fetal monitor creates a continuous recording of two things. In the lower half, it displays each labor contraction, including the beginning and end of each contraction. The upper half of the recording shows the fetal heart rate pattern moment by moment. When we analyze a fetal heart monitor tracing, we can see whether there is evidence of excessive labor contractions, and we can also see whether there is evidence of fetal distress.

Fetal distress is a precarious condition of the fetus that if allowed to persist can cause fetal brain damage from decreased blood flow to the fetal brain and/or decreased oxygenation of the fetal brain.

The best treatment of fetal distress is prevention. Fetal distress can be prevented if problems (with the mother, the contractions or the baby) are seen promptly and corrected. If fetal distress is suspected by a nurse or doctor, they should see to it that the obstetrician in charge of the mother sees her promptly. Preparations for an emergency Cesarean section should be made in case the evidence of distress cannot be alleviated. In the meantime, Pitocin should be discontinued, the mother’s position in bed should be changed, she should be given oxygen, and the rate of flow of her IV fluids (except for Pitocin) should be increased. If she is already pushing, she should be told to stop pushing. If these measures fail to eliminate the evidence of fetal distress, then an emergency Cesarean section has to be done promptly in order to rescue the fetus before fetal brain damage occurs.

• "Birth Control and Malpractice," Trial Lawyers Quarterly 10:86, 1974.
• "New York Law on Wrongful Birth Cases," New York Law Journal, November 9, 1978.
• "Responding to Defenses in Erb's Palsy Cases," Trial, 1998.
• Trial of an Obstetrical Malpractice Case, Law Journal Seminars-Press, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2001.
• Obstetrical-Neonatal Malpractice and Brain Damage, Law Journal Seminars-Press, 1984, 1985, and 1986.
• Failure to Diagnose Fetal Distress, Law Journal Seminars-Press, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001.
• "Failure to Diagnose Fetal Distress," Trial, September 1999.
• Medical Malpractice: Trial of an Obstetrical and Neonatal Malpractice Case, Law Journal Seminars-Press, 1989-1990.
• Trial of an Obstetrical Malpractice Case, Law Journal Seminars-Press, 1990 to 2001.

If you believe your child's birth injury was the result of medical malpractice, please contact our firm to discuss your case.

Disclaimer: Please be advised that the results achieved in any given case depend upon the exact facts and circumstances of that case. Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf cannot guarantee a specific result in any legal matter. Any testimonial or case result listed on this site is based on an actual legal case and represents the results achieved in that particular case, and does not constitute a guarantee, warranty or prediction of the outcome of any other legal matter.