The costs of raising a child with cerebral palsy can put a financial strain on many families. While there are government programs that offer cerebral palsy financial support, this assistance is often limited, leaving the bulk of the financial burden on those families affected by cerebral palsy.

Costs of care

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that the average lifetime expense of caring for a child with cerebral palsy is almost one million dollars. These expenses include a number of direct and indirect costs such as medical expenses, treatments and therapies, special education programs, total value of lost income capacity, and decreased or eliminated earning capacity. Cerebral palsy financial support such as supplemental social security benefits and medical care offered through government assistance programs cover only a limited portion of the economic costs of caring for a child with cerebral palsy.

The estimated costs of raising a child with cerebral palsy fail to include non-economic losses faced by the patient and their families such as pain and suffering, shortened life expectancy, and reduced enjoyment of life. Government assistance programs do not offer cerebral palsy financial support for non-economic losses and suffering. Even the support those programs do offer can be hard to qualify for and do not sufficiently cover economic costs in most cases. 

How to get financial support through a legal claim

While government assistance programs provide some economic relief to families caring for a child with cerebral palsy, the majority of the financial burden still falls on the family. The only way you and your family can receive the full cerebral palsy financial support you deserve is by filing a cerebral palsy lawsuit to seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.  If your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical error, a cerebral palsy lawsuit can help you obtain financial assistance to safeguard your child’s future. 

Cerebral palsy is often the result of medical mistakes made by doctors, hospitals, and other medical professionals. If you suspect your child’s condition was caused by medical malpractice, we would like the opportunity to evaluate your case FREE of charge. Please contact us today to speak with a qualified and experienced cerebral palsy attorney who is dedicated to protecting your legal rights and getting you and your family the compensation you are entitled.