The Scranton cerebral palsy lawyers at Munley Law are dedicated to helping families with children who have been impacted by cerebral palsy caused by medical malpractice.
Cerebral palsy isn’t just a medical diagnosis; it deeply impacts the lives of both the individuals living with it and their families. When this condition arises from medical negligence, securing the right legal help is vital to seeking justice through a lawsuit. With over 250 years of combined experience in personal injury and medical malpractice litigation, our attorneys have the skills and legal acumen needed to help you seek justice after this life-changing diagnosis.
Our lawyers have secured numerous settlements for our clients to date, including verdicts totaling $5 million, $4.35 million, and $3.5 million in medical malpractice cases. Call today to schedule a free consultation with our Scranton birth injury attorneys. There is no fee unless we win your case.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder caused by a brain injury or malformation that occurs during brain development before, during, or after birth. Unlike Erb’s palsy, which is damage to the brachial plexus nerves, cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain, often before birth. This damage can affect a child’s ability to control their muscles. Causes can include genetic disorders, maternal infections, fetal stroke, lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia), traumatic head injury, or infections in early childhood.
According to the Birth Injury Justice Center, around 1 in every 345 children in the United States has been diagnosed with the condition. The most recent estimates of its prevalence are up to 3 in every 1,000 children, making it the US’s most common motor disability in children.
While there’s no cure for cerebral palsy, treatments can improve the lives of those who have the condition. Treatment may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medications to manage symptoms (like muscle spasticity and seizures), and sometimes surgery.
The impact of cerebral palsy varies greatly. Many children go on to live independent, fulfilling lives. The condition does not generally affect life expectancy, although associated complications can.
“Honoring those who came before us, Munley Law proudly continues our family tradition of innovation, caring, and integrity.”
Caroline Munley
Why Do You Need a Cerebral Palsy Attorney in Scranton, PA?
In cerebral palsy lawsuits, medical experts play a pivotal role. Their job is to shed light on the specifics – when and how the brain injury occurred – and to draw a clear line connecting the dots between medical missteps and the child’s development of cerebral palsy.
The key drivers of this diagnosis include inadequate prenatal care and poor maternal health; young maternal age; delivery complications; and low birth weight, with around 36% of CP cases seen in newborn infants weighing 2,500g or less at birth. After cerebral palsy has been diagnosed, recent research also highlights a four-times higher risk of CP-affected infants developing co-occurring developmental and neurobiological conditions.
To determine if medical negligence caused cerebral palsy in your child, you will need a team of Scranton medical malpractice lawyers who have the resources available to help find the proof required to show medical malpractice played a part in your child’s injury.
What Do I Need to Bring to the Initial Consultation?
As you gear up for your first meeting with a potential cerebral palsy attorney, compile all pertinent medical documents and any evidence you believe might bolster your case.
For the initial consultation, compile a list of questions regarding their experience with cerebral palsy cases, how they manage cases, and their fee structure. This first meeting is not just about the lawyer evaluating your case; it’s also an opportunity for you to determine if this attorney is someone you feel comfortable and confident working with.
How Do I Find Out What Caused My Child’s Cerebral Palsy?
Determining what caused cerebral palsy in a child can be complex and requires a thorough medical evaluation. Here are some steps your attorneys will need to take to decide whether you have a medical malpractice case in Scranton:
- Medical History Review: We will use medical experts to examine your child’s medical history, including prenatal care, labor and delivery records, and any complications during pregnancy or birth. This can provide clues about potential risk factors or events that could have led to a birth injury.
- Consult a Pediatric Neurologist: A pediatric neurologist or a medical specialist in developmental disorders can assess your child’s condition. They can help determine if the cerebral palsy is likely due to a birth injury or other factors.
- Neuroimaging Tests: Any tests that your child had, like an MRI or a CT scan, can provide detailed images of the brain and help identify any damage or abnormalities that might be linked to a birth injury.
- Look for Timing of Symptoms: It can be an essential indicator of when symptoms first appear. If symptoms of cerebral palsy appear very early in life, such as soon after the baby is born, this might suggest a birth-related cause.
- Consider Other Risk Factors: Cerebral palsy can also result from factors unrelated to birth injuries, such as genetic disorders, infections, or random mutations. It’s also essential to consider these possibilities when determining if you have a personal injury case.
- Second Opinion: A second opinion from another medical professional can provide additional insights and either confirm or challenge the initial assessment.
- Ongoing Monitoring and Assessment: Since cerebral palsy can evolve, continuous monitoring and assessment are essential to understand the full extent and nature of the condition.
Remember, each case of cerebral palsy is unique, and determining the cause can be challenging. Working closely with a Scranton cerebral palsy lawyer to understand your child’s situation is essential.
Why Should I Hire a Scranton Cerebral Palsy Lawyer at Munley Law?
At Munley Law, our team keenly understands the hurdles that may be involved with cerebral palsy claims. With a wealth of experience in the intricacies of medical lawsuits and the resources needed to handle these cases, we concentrate on defending your rights through a tailored strategy.
We commit to dedicating the required focus and care to your case to secure compensation for your child’s ongoing care needs.
We have won millions in settlements for our clients, and our lawyers are consistently recognized by the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Summit Council, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the American Association for Justice, among other prestigious directories.
Our firm has been annually recognized as a Best Law Firm, and Marion Munley has been recognized as Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice Law.
All five of our partners hold AV Preeminent Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell and have been featured as some of the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, and Caroline Munley is also one of the NTLA’s Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania and Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cerebral Palsy in Scranton, PA
How Many Children Are Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy in Pennsylvania Each Year?
While specific data for Scranton and Pennsylvania are not available, an estimated 8,000 to 12,000 children are diagnosed with congenital cerebral palsy each year. Moreover, around 10% of these annual cases are caused by instances of medical malpractice.
How Many People Are Living with Cerebral Palsy in Scranton, PA?
While specific data for Scranton and Pennsylvania have not been released yet, national estimates suggest that around 1 million people in the United States live with cerebral palsy.
What Types of Medical Errors Can Cause Cerebral Palsy in Scranton, PA?
Cerebral palsy can result when healthcare professionals fail to monitor fetal distress, delay necessary C-sections, or use delivery tools like vacuums and forceps incorrectly. Failure to diagnose or treat maternal infections or conditions such as jaundice in infants can also cause permanent brain damage through anoxia or physical trauma, which in turn can lead to cerebral palsy.
What Types of Complications Do Children With Cerebral Palsy Face?
Children with cerebral palsy can face complications like muscle stiffness, involuntary movements, and significant challenges with coordination and balance. These children may also suffer from speech and motor development delays, intellectual disabilities, neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and autism, and epileptic seizures.
How Do I Prove That Medical Malpractice Caused My Child’s Cerebral Palsy?
Your cerebral palsy lawyer will liaise with medical experts to review your child’s prenatal and delivery records for signs of birth injury. You must also provide neuroimaging tests, such as MRIs or CT scans, to identify brain damage. Your legal team will also connect with specialists who can assess the timing of your child’s symptoms and rule out other factors like genetics or infections to confirm a link between their cerebral palsy and medical malpractice.
Contact a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer at Munley Law Today
If you’re navigating a cerebral palsy claim and seeking legal assistance, we invite you to schedule a free consultation.
Let Munley Law support you in this critical step in seeking justice and compensation for your family’s suffering.
Munley Law
227 Penn Ave.
Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 865-4699
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Caroline Munley
Caroline Munley 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.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on March 3, 2026.
