If you suspect that your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical malpractice, it’s essential to consult an experienced Hazleton birth injury lawyer with experience handling such cases. Munley Law can assess your situation in a free consultation and guide you through the legal process to seek compensation for any negligence or malpractice that may have occurred.
Our birth injury lawyers in Hazleton have a proven track record of success. They will represent your family’s interests, investigate the circumstances surrounding the condition’s onset, and initiate legal action if and when deemed appropriate. It is crucial to seek guidance from a seasoned medical malpractice attorney so that we can support you in pursuing compensation and justice, allowing you to focus your energy on caring for your family and moving forward.
Don’t wait. Contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win your case.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy occurs when something goes wrong with the brain as it develops, typically before birth. It can be due to various reasons like infections during pregnancy, lack of oxygen during labor, birth injuries, or brain injuries shortly after birth:
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): This occurs when the baby’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen and blood flow during labor and delivery, leading to brain damage.
- Birth trauma: Physical trauma during delivery, such as the improper use of delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors, can cause head injuries or brain bleeds, increasing the likelihood of cerebral palsy. According to the Cerebral Palsy Guide, around 70% of cerebral palsy cases in the U.S. result from birth injuries.
- Maternal infections: Infections during pregnancy, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella, or untreated urinary tract infections, can be transmitted from the mother to the baby and affect brain development, potentially leading to cerebral palsy. These infections may also cause inflammation or other damage to the developing brain.
What Are the Common Types of Cerebral Palsy in Hazleton?
In the United States, roughly 10,000 babies are born with cerebral palsy each year. Among its variations, spastic cerebral palsy stands to be the most common type. Each type of cerebral palsy has its own unique set of obstacles that are to be considered when performing a needs analysis and managing care for your loved one:
- Spastic CP: This type causes stiffness and tightness in muscles, making fluid movement difficult. The Cerebral Palsy Guide notes that this is the most common type of cerebral palsy, with up to 80% of children affected by CP diagnosed with the spastic form.
- Athetoid CP: Athetoid CP causes involuntary and uncontrolled movements, making it hard to control limbs; performing simple daily tasks is a struggle. Also known as dyskinetic CP, this specific condition accounts for around 15% of all cerebral palsy cases.
- Ataxic CP: Ataxic CP affects balance and coordination, causing shaky movements and difficulty with precise tasks. This is the rarest form of cerebral palsy, accounting for just 6% of diagnosed cases.
These issues affect how the brain controls muscles, ultimately leading to difficulties with movement and coordination. Cerebral palsy is also associated with a wide range of symptoms and co-occurring conditions. Around 75% of patients with the condition experience chronic pain, and around 50% will also suffer from intellectual disabilities. Roughly 33% have limited mobility, 25% have limited verbal communication abilities or epilepsy, 10% have vision impairments, and up to 7% may also be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
How Do I Know if Cerebral Palsy Was Caused by Negligence?
Determining if someone else is at fault for your child’s cerebral palsy involves examining the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care. Common indicators that negligence may be a factor include:
- Medical Errors: If healthcare providers make mistakes during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, such as failing to monitor fetal distress or improperly using delivery tools, this could indicate negligence. The Judicial System of Pennsylvania recorded 1,548 medical malpractice filings across the state in 2024, 55 of which arose in Luzerne County, and some of which were related to local medical errors during labor and deliveries.
- Delayed Treatment: If there were delays in diagnosing or treating maternal infections, fetal distress, or other complications during pregnancy or childbirth, resulting in harm to the baby, negligence may have occurred.
- Inadequate Care: If the medical team failed to provide the standard level of care expected in similar situations, resulting in preventable harm to the baby, it could suggest negligence.
- Documentation: Reviewing medical records and consulting with medical experts can help determine if there were deviations from accepted medical practices that contributed to cerebral palsy.
When Should I Contact a Cerebral Palsy Attorney in Hazleton?
If you think something went wrong during your child’s birth, talk to a medical malpractice lawyer who knows how to handle birth injury cases. If negligence played a role, consulting with a birth injury lawyer specializing in medical malpractice can help review medical records and determine if pursuing legal action is appropriate.
A skilled Hazleton birth injury lawyer can assess what happened and figure out the best steps to take. Medical bills pile up, but your child’s care shouldn’t suffer. Birth injury cases are complicated and have many intricate layers; having a Hazleton birth injury lawyer on your side means you’ll have someone who has the resources, relationships, successful track record, and experience in gathering evidence to build a strong case.
Our birth injury and cerebral palsy lawyers at Munley Law are ready to fight for justice for your family. We have four lawyers board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy, and our partners have been named some of the state’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association.
Caroline Munley is ranked as one of the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers in the Keystone State, and Marion Munley holds the status of Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice Law from Best Lawyers. We have the skills, qualifications, and dedication to uphold your child’s rights every step of the way, while seeking the largest possible settlement to restore their quality of life.
What Will My Hazleton Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Do to Build My Case?
Your birth injury attorney will work diligently to gather all the evidence needed to show that the doctors or hospital may be responsible for what happened by:
- Reviewing Medical Records: Carefully examine all medical records involving pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postnatal care to identify deviations from standard protocol.
- Consulting with Medical Experts: Resort to the expertise of medical professionals specializing in obstetrics, neonatology, neurology, and other relevant fields to review the records and determine whether or not medical negligence occurred.
- Interviewing Witnesses: Interview witnesses, including family members, healthcare providers, and others present during the birth. Additional information surrounding the circumstances and others’ perspectives of what occurred may be very useful.
- Obtaining Expert Opinions: Seek out medical experts for opinions and testimony regarding the standard of care expected in similar situations and whether the involved healthcare providers’ performance or lack of performance contributed to the development of cerebral palsy.
- Investigating Hospital Policies and Procedures: Research hospital policies and procedures to determine if organizational failures played a part in the alleged malpractice.
- Collaborating with Medical Specialists: Work with specialists in fields such as radiology, genetics, and pediatric neurology to further investigate the cause and extent of the child’s cerebral palsy birth injury.
At Munley Law, our attorneys want to make sure that your family gets what they deserve and that someone is held accountable for your child’s injury.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cerebral Palsy and Birth Injuries in Hazleton, PA
How Long Do I Have to File a Birth Injury Claim?
In Pennsylvania, if you want to file a birth injury claim for medical malpractice related to cerebral palsy, you usually have two years from when the injury happened. But if a parent is suing for a child who got hurt, they can wait until the child turns 18 before starting the two-year clock. So, the parents need to file the claim before the child turns 20. If the child is already 18 or older, they have two years from their 18th birthday to file a claim for a birth injury.
How Can I Tell Whether My Child’s Cerebral Palsy is a Natural Complication or Caused By a Medical Error?
It can be challenging to distinguish whether your child’s cerebral palsy is the result of medical negligence or simply a natural birth complication. A skilled cerebral palsy lawyer can closely evaluate the timing and quality of the medical decisions made during your child’s birth, as well as data on the use of delivery tools and fetal heart rate logs, to determine if your medical team’s actions or inaction may have contributed to your child’s birth injuries.
Which Types of Financial Compensation Can I Claim for My Child’s Birth Injuries?
If your child’s cerebral palsy has been caused by medical errors or negligence, your settlement may cover more than just your initial medical expenses. A comprehensive settlement or verdict may also provide financial support for specialized therapy, including speech, physical, and occupational therapy, assistive home modifications and technologies, and long-term care and specialized education. Your lawyer can evaluate your child’s case and determine the types of compensation your family is eligible for, based on your child’s expected needs.
Can I Still Pursue a Case if My Child’s Cerebral Palsy Was Diagnosed Years After Their Birth?
Pennsylvanian law recognizes that the symptoms of cerebral palsy may only become apparent years after your child’s birth. This means that you can still pursue a case and seek compensation for their injuries. The state’s Discovery Rule also has specific provisions for minors, pausing the statute of limitations until your child turns 18 and allowing them two years to file their own claim. Speak to your birth injury lawyer to find out more about your legal options and how best to proceed.
How Our Birth Injury Lawyer in Hazleton, PA, Can Help
With almost 70 years of experience helping people injured in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, our team at Munley Law is here for you and your child. We want to hear your story and fight for your rights.
Our attorneys’ skills and accomplishments are recognized by the American Board of Trial Advocates, the American Association for Justice, and Super Lawyers, and all of our partners hold the highest AV Preeminent Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell. We are also listed on the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Summit Council for winning millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts in medical malpractice cases throughout the state.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. If you think medical mistakes caused your child’s cerebral palsy, call Munley Law for a free case review. Our birth injury lawyers will listen to you, assess your case, explain what compensation you might get, and discuss how we can help you and your child get the settlement you deserve.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on May 28, 2026.
Caroline Munley
Caroline Munley is an experienced and award-winning personal injury lawyer and is a board-certified workers’ compensation specialist. Since 2018, she’s been listed in Best Lawyers in America (Personal Injury Plaintiffs; Workers’ Compensation Claimants, Northeastern PA), Lawdragon, and has been a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2022. A member of the International Society of Barristers, Caroline has won millions of dollars for car accident, commercial truck crash, and workplace injury victims.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
197 N Cedar St.
Hazleton, PA 18201
(570) 536-9498
