Los Angeles Cerebral Palsy Attorneys
Millions Recovered for Families in Birth Injury and Brain Damage Cases
Peterson Injury Law has recovered more than $200 million for injury victims, including millions for families whose children suffered preventable brain damage and lasting disabilities like cerebral palsy. When a birth injury could have been avoided, we help parents hold negligent providers accountable.
Our firm is led by trial attorney Erik Peterson, whose record in birth injury and brain damage cases includes the largest medical malpractice present-value recovery in California history when settled. Cerebral palsy claims turn on difficult medical questions, and we bring the trial experience and expert resources they require.
Examples of our results in birth injury and brain damage cases include:
- $17 Million Birth Injury Settlement (2019). Secured for a child who suffered brain damage after providers failed to treat a routine infection during pregnancy. This was the largest medical malpractice recovery in California history at the time.
- $5.5 Million for a Birth-Related Brain Injury. Recovered after a NICU nurse perforated the infant's heart while inserting a PICC line, causing a brain injury.
- $4.5 Million for Undiagnosed Neonatal Meningitis. Recovered after a neonatologist failed to diagnose meningitis in a newborn in the NICU, leaving the child with lifelong physical and cognitive disabilities.
If your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you may have the right to pursue compensation for their care. Call (213) 539-3152 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.
Understanding Cerebral Palsy and Its Causes
Cerebral palsy is a permanent condition affecting movement, muscle tone, and coordination. It stems from injury to or abnormal development of a child's brain, and while it does not worsen over time, its effects can range from mild to severe and last a lifetime. The condition takes several forms:
- Spastic CP, the most common type, causes stiff muscles and difficult, jerky movement.
- Dyskinetic CP causes involuntary or uncontrolled movements of the hands, arms, feet, and legs.
- Ataxic CP affects balance, depth perception, and fine motor control.
- Mixed forms combine features of more than one type.
Cerebral palsy has many possible causes, and in many children the exact cause is never identified. Many cases are associated with brain development before birth, complications of prematurity, infection, stroke, or other events that are not always preventable. A share of cases, however, results from oxygen deprivation or brain injury around the time of delivery, some of which competent medical care could have prevented.
Parents may not hear the words “cerebral palsy” in the delivery room. Many families begin asking questions months later, after missed motor milestones, abnormal muscle tone, feeding problems, or referrals to neurology and therapy.
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$3.75 Million Anesthesia Error
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$6.25 Million Anoxic Brain Injury, Anesthesia Error
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Record-Setting $17 Million Birth Injury Settlement
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“Erik and his team were incredibly helpful. They consistently helped me through the unfamiliar and uncertain legal processes, which were all new to me. I trusted Erik always had my best interests in mind and was fighting on my behalf. I deeply appreciate all they did for me and my family.”- Peter M.
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“Erik and his paralegal, Kate, were incredible throughout our case. Erik is an amazing attorney, he was open with us from the very beginning, attentive, and always made sure we understood every step of the process. His honesty and professionalism gave us so”- Joyce D.
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“Working with Erik Peterson was an exceptional experience during one of the most difficult times in our lives. As we faced shock and a maze of medical decisions, Erik seamlessly took on our medical malpractice case with professionalism, compassion, and deep expertise. From our very first conversation, it was clear that Erik had both the knowledge and the sensitivity to guide us through the process with integrity. Erik ultimately secured a settlement that protected our financial future and gave us peace of mind to focus our energy on healing and recovery. We are profoundly grateful for his guidance and advocacy, and we cannot recommend Erik and his team highly enough.”- Jennifer B.
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“I am so very grateful to my lawyer, Erik and his team for his unwavering support, dedication and commitment. Thank you for all your hard work leading us to a victorious outcome in court!”- Quia K.
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“My wife and I are forever grateful to Erik and his team for putting the effort and care for our son and his needs. We chose Erik over another lawyer because they took the time to FaceTime with us and speak to us on a personal level which made us feel safe and heard. Throughout the process Erik was very communicative and detailed in explaining how all the legal things worked and how long things took. He was always truthful and honest but also caring. At the end Erik and his team were able to help us and now our son will have his needs met and a more comfortable life. Thank you.”- Adrian B.
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“He couldn't have managed independence to this extent, his current level of physical activity, or the complexity of his recent social interactions 6 months ago. None of it would have happened without ongoing therapeutic support - which has only been possible with the financial settlement.”- Former Client
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“Thank you Erik for winning our case! Erik and his team are superb. If you are in need of his attorney services, it is likely, like myself, that you are experiencing one of the most traumatic and painful times of your life. Of course you want an excellent lawyer - and he is it. The bonus: he is also a genuinely real and kind human being. I am so grateful to him and his team.”- Margaret C.
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“His knowledge and attention to detail was stellar, making me feel secure during a difficult case. Unlike most people in life, he was always upfront with me and kept me updated every step of the way, which is truly not what I was expecting from a lawyer. Although it was determined my case could take several years, especially during a pandemic, due to his dedication it was over in only 2yrs and made the process as easy for me as possible. I would absolutely recommend this firm and use him again if I ever need to, although I hope I don't.”- Kristy N.
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“My husband passed due to medical malpractice and I didn't know what to do or who to call. All I knew was I needed to get him justice. I researched and found Erik Peterson on google and reviewed various reviews on various sites. He was very patient and fought for me and my late husband. Erik told me what to expect ahead of time so I could prepare myself mentally. All in all, I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who may need legal assistance in personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death. They are excellent and I can't say enough good things about them.”- Kiki A.
How Medical Negligence Leads to Cerebral Palsy
When cerebral palsy is the result of negligence, it usually traces to a provider's failure to prevent or respond to oxygen deprivation or brain trauma during labor and delivery. The errors behind these cases often include:
- Failing to monitor the baby's heart rate or to recognize signs of fetal distress
- Delaying a cesarean section when the baby is in distress or labor stalls
- Mismanaging labor-inducing drugs such as Pitocin
- Failing to diagnose or treat a maternal infection or complication during pregnancy
- Anesthesia mistakes that deprive the mother or baby of oxygen
- Failing to provide timely cooling therapy after signs of a brain injury
Doctors and nurses managing a delivery are expected to act as a competent provider would under the same circumstances. When they fall short and a child suffers a brain injury as a result, the family may have grounds for a malpractice claim.
Was Your Child's Cerebral Palsy Preventable?
Because many cases of cerebral palsy are not caused by negligence, parents are often left wondering whether their child's condition could have been avoided. Certain circumstances make a preventable injury more likely:
- A prolonged or difficult labor with documented signs of fetal distress
- An emergency C-section, resuscitation, or NICU admission after birth
- A maternal infection or complication that went undiagnosed or untreated
- A diagnosis of HIE or a brain injury noted around the time of delivery
None of these confirms malpractice on its own. The only way to know is to have the medical records reviewed by professionals who understand both the medicine and the law.
The Lifetime Cost of Cerebral Palsy and Available Compensation
Raising a child with cerebral palsy can cost millions of dollars over the course of a lifetime. A successful claim is meant to secure the resources that child will need for decades to come.
Compensation can cover medical treatment and surgeries; physical, occupational, and speech therapy; assistive equipment and mobility devices; home and vehicle modifications; special education; in-home or long-term care; and the earning capacity the child may lose. California places no cap on these economic damages, and they typically form the core of a cerebral palsy recovery.
Families may also recover for non-economic harm, including the child's pain, suffering, and loss of a normal quality of life. California's medical malpractice law limits non-economic damages, though the cap rises over time and can apply separately to a negligent physician and a negligent hospital. We can walk you through how the current limits would affect your family's claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Call For a FREE Consultation: (213) 539-3152
A cerebral palsy diagnosis raises urgent questions about your child's future and how you will pay for the care they need. We can help you find out whether a preventable medical error was to blame and what compensation may be available. Our consultations are FREE, and you owe us nothing unless we win your case.
Call (213) 539-3152 or contact us online to speak with a Los Angeles cerebral palsy attorney.
