Illinois cerebral palsy lawyers investigate whether medical mistakes before, during, or shortly after birth contributed to a child's diagnosis. When medical negligence is involved, families are often eligible for compensation. Sokolove Law has recovered over $1.1 Billion for families affected by birth injuries like cerebral palsy.
Why Choose Our Cerebral Palsy Law Firm in Illinois?
Families across Illinois trust Sokolove Law because we have more than 45 years of experience helping those affected by birth injuries like cerebral palsy (CP).
From investigating complex medical malpractice claims to pursuing compensation for lifelong care, our team is committed to helping families move forward after a birth injury.
Reasons families choose our cerebral palsy law firm in Illinois:
Over 45 Years of Experience: We've spent decades handling complex birth injury and medical malpractice cases and securing meaningful results for families in Illinois and beyond.
More Than $1.1 Billion in Birth Injury Results: While every case is different, our goal is to provide families with the resources they need after a birth injury.
Registered Nurses on Staff: Our experienced labor and delivery nurses can review your family's story and help determine whether medical negligence may have contributed to your child's condition.
Resources to Build a Strong Case: We gather medical records, work with qualified medical experts, meet important legal deadlines, and negotiate with hospitals and insurance companies so you can focus on your family.
No Upfront Costs or Hourly Fees: You pay nothing unless we're successful in recovering compensation on your behalf.
Our Illinois cerebral palsy lawyers are committed to accountability. In addition to seeking financial support, a CP lawsuit can help hold negligent health care providers accountable and encourage safer medical practices.
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Our Past Illinois Cerebral Palsy Settlements & Verdicts
At Sokolove Law, we've recovered more than $1.1 Billion for families affected by birth injuries, including cerebral palsy.
While the average payout for a cerebral palsy lawsuit is around $1 Million, our Illinois CP lawyers have secured much more financial support for some families.
$7 Million for a mother in Kewanee whose son has cerebral palsy linked to malpractice
$4.5 Million to a Chicago father whose daughter suffered an injury at birth
$800,000 for a family in Peru affected by birth injury malpractice
$1.25 Million to a child in Oswego who suffered injuries caused by shoulder dystocia
“Our child’s in therapy three days a week and needs surgery. Sokolove Law was incredibly helpful in guiding us through this tough situation, and we’re really grateful for their support.” – Illinois Parent & Firm Client
Every cerebral palsy case is different, and the amount of compensation available depends on factors like the severity of the child's condition, the need for lifelong medical care, and the circumstances surrounding the medical negligence.
Our Illinois cerebral palsy lawyers work to recover the maximum compensation available for every family we represent.
Get the Help Your Child Deserves
If you have a case, our cerebral palsy lawyers can fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves.
While cerebral palsy is not always preventable, some cases are caused by medical mistakes before, during, or shortly after birth.
When doctors, nurses, hospitals, or other health care providers fail to provide appropriate care, a baby may suffer permanent brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy.
Medical malpractice that may contribute to cerebral palsy includes:
Failing to monitor oxygen levels during labor and delivery
Making medication or anesthesia errors during childbirth
Not diagnosing or treating maternal or newborn infections
Many babies who later develop cerebral palsy require emergency treatment or admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after experiencing complications during delivery.
While a NICU stay alone doesn't mean malpractice occurred, it may be a sign that deserves further investigation.
Birth Injuries That Can Lead to CP
Cerebral palsy is often the result of damage to a baby's developing brain around the time of childbirth. These types of birth injuries can cause complications that ultimately lead to CP.
Birth injuries that may increase the risk of cerebral palsy include:
Brain damage: Head trauma resulting from difficult deliveries or the improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
Brain bleeds (intracranial hemorrhages): Bleeding in or around the brain that can damage developing brain tissue
Kernicterus: A preventable type of brain damage caused by severe, untreated newborn jaundice
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL): Damage to the brain's white matter, most commonly seen in premature infants
Serious newborn infections: Conditions such as meningitis or sepsis may injure the developing brain if not diagnosed and treated promptly
Stroke before or shortly after birth: Interrupted blood flow to the brain can permanently affect motor function
At Sokolove Law, our registered nurses have decades of labor and delivery experience and can help determine whether a preventable birth injury may have contributed to your child's cerebral palsy diagnosis.
“What I've learned from working in the hospital is what is supposed to happen or what we would expect to happen during a normal delivery. It helps me be able to differentiate the red flags or the situations that could potentially cause an injury to a child.” – Kristin Proctor, Registered Nurse with Sokolove Law
How Attorneys Prove Illinois Cerebral Palsy Malpractice Cases
Families who choose to sue for cerebral palsy in Illinois must show that a health care provider failed to provide a high quality of care and that this negligence caused their child's brain injury and resulting diagnosis.
Building a strong case often requires a detailed review of medical records, expert opinions, and other evidence documenting what happened before, during, and after birth.
Our Illinois cerebral palsy lawyers work with labor and delivery nurses and top medical experts to investigate whether preventable mistakes contributed to your child's condition.
Evidence used in Illinois cerebral palsy malpractice cases includes:
Prenatal Medical Records: May reveal missed risk factors, untreated maternal conditions, or inadequate prenatal care
Labor and Delivery Records: Help establish whether doctors and nurses responded appropriately to complications during childbirth
Fetal Heart Monitoring Strips: Can show signs of fetal distress or oxygen deprivation, as well as whether providers acted quickly enough
Delivery Records: Document the timing of interventions, emergency C-sections, and the use of forceps or vacuum extractors
NICU and Newborn Medical Records: May identify seizures, infections, breathing problems, low blood sugar, jaundice, or other complications that should have been recognized and treated promptly
Brain Imaging (MRI or CT Scans): Can help determine the timing, location, and severity of a brain injury
Medical Expert Testimony: Specialists review the records to determine whether providers met the accepted standard of care and whether different treatment may have prevented the injury
Witness Statements: Testimony from parents, nurses, or other health care providers may help establish what went wrong
By gathering and analyzing this evidence, attorneys can determine whether medical negligence caused a preventable birth injury and demonstrate the lifelong impact cerebral palsy has on a child and their family.
Because hospitals and insurance companies often dispute these claims, having experienced legal and medical professionals investigate the case is critical to pursuing the compensation your family deserves.
"You don’t need to have proof that a mistake was made. That’s our job. All you need to do is share your concerns and your story. If something didn’t feel right during labor or delivery, or if your child is now facing health challenges you weren’t prepared for, it’s always worth reaching out." – Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney of Sokolove Law
How to File a Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit in Illinois
Filing an Illinois cerebral palsy lawsuit can feel overwhelming, especially while caring for a child with complex medical needs.
At Sokolove Law, our legal team manages every stage of the process, from investigating what happened to negotiating with hospitals and insurance companies, so your family can focus on your child's care.
1. Contact Sokolove Law
Your case begins with a free, no-obligation case review. Our team will listen to your family's story and discuss your child's diagnosis, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and any complications that followed.
We have registered nurses with decades of labor and delivery experience who can identify potential signs of medical negligence.
2. We’ll Gather Evidence of Malpractice
If we believe you may have a case, we'll collect and review the evidence needed to prove medical malpractice. This may include prenatal and delivery records, NICU records, diagnostic tests, and opinions from qualified medical experts.
3. We’ll File Your Illinois Cerebral Palsy Claim
Once our investigation is complete, we'll prepare and file your cerebral palsy lawsuit in the appropriate court. Our attorneys handle all legal filings and work to ensure your claim is filed before any applicable deadlines.
4. We’ll Negotiate CP Settlements on Your Behalf
Most cerebral palsy lawsuits are resolved through negotiated settlements rather than trials. Our cerebral palsy attorneys in Illinois will fight for compensation that reflects your child's current and future medical needs.
If the doctor, hospital, or other at-fault party refuses to offer a fair settlement, we're prepared to continue fighting for your family in court and seeking compensation from a cerebral palsy settlement or verdict.
Illinois Cerebral Palsy Statute of Limitations
The Illinois cerebral palsy statute of limitations is generally 2 years, but birth injury cases involving children are subject to special rules that may extend the deadline.
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-212, Illinois generally gives families 2 years from the date they knew or reasonably should have known that medical malpractice caused their child's injury to file a lawsuit.
However, Illinois law provides additional protections. In many cases, a lawsuit may be filed within 8 years of the medical negligence that caused the injury, provided it's filed before the child's 22nd birthday. Other exceptions may also apply for individuals with a legal disability.
Determining which deadline applies to your case can be complicated, and waiting too long could permanently prevent your family from seeking compensation. Our Illinois cerebral palsy lawyers can help determine whether you still have time to file a claim.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to see if your family may be eligible for a cerebral palsy lawsuit settlement. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Illinois juries have awarded some of the nation's largest cerebral palsy settlements and verdicts. Many of these lawsuits allege that medical providers failed to recognize fetal distress, delayed emergency C-sections, or otherwise failed to provide timely care.
Illinois doesn't impose statutory caps on economic or non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. As a result, families may be able to recover substantial compensation for lifelong care and other damages.
Recent Illinois cerebral palsy verdicts and settlements include:
$55.5 Million for a Chicago man with a permanent brain injury
$14 Million to the family of a child with quadriplegic cerebral palsy who passed away
$53 Million for a boy diagnosed with cerebral palsy
$35 Million to a child who suffered a catastrophic brain injury
$50.3 Million for the family of a 9-year-old boy with cerebral palsy
While every case is different and past results do not guarantee future outcomes, Illinois has produced some of the largest cerebral palsy verdicts and settlements in the country.
$55.5 Million Illinois Cerebral Palsy Verdict
In 2023, a 20-year-old Chicago man was awarded $55.5 Million after a jury found that negligent medical care at the University of Illinois Hospital contributed to his permanent brain injuries.
According to the lawsuit, the mother was considered a high-risk pregnancy, but physicians failed to respond appropriately after administering Pitocin®, which the family argued caused fetal distress by reducing the baby's oxygen supply.
The child was ultimately delivered by emergency C-section, admitted to the NICU, and placed on life support. He reportedly has the cognitive ability of a 2-year-old and requires 24/7 care.
$14 Million in Illinois Cerebral Palsy Wrongful Death Verdict
In 2024, a Cook County jury awarded more than $14 Million to the family of a boy who suffered catastrophic brain injuries after an alleged delay in emergency care at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
The child developed quadriplegic cerebral palsy, blindness, and other permanent disabilities before passing away at age 4 from complications related to his birth injuries.
During the trial, the family's legal team claimed that hospital staff failed to promptly evaluate the unborn baby's heart rate, notify an obstetrician, and perform an emergency C-section despite signs of fetal distress.
“The emergency department was a gatekeeper of care. They had an obligation to call an obstetrician. The woman is 33 weeks pregnant with abdominal pain and hypotension. The only person who can help this baby is an obstetrician.” – Family's Illinois Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
$53 Million Illinois Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit Verdict
An Illinois jury awarded $53 Million to the family of a boy who suffered a catastrophic brain injury and later developed cerebral palsy after hospital staff allegedly delayed performing a medically necessary C-section.
Doctors and nurses at the University of Chicago Hospital are accused of failing to respond to the mother's worsening condition for several hours, allowing the baby to remain in fetal distress for an extended period.
Illinois CP attorneys argued that the delay deprived the child of oxygen, resulting in severe brain damage that affected his ability to walk, speak, and live independently. The verdict included compensation for the child's loss of a normal life.
$35 Million Illinois Cerebral Palsy Settlement
An Illinois family secured a $35 Million settlement after alleging delays during an emergency C-section caused their son to suffer a catastrophic brain injury that left him with permanent disabilities, including cerebral palsy-like symptoms.
According to the family's Illinois cerebral palsy attorneys, the attending anesthesiologist failed to respond promptly to multiple emergency pages while the baby was experiencing fetal distress.
The lawsuit claimed the delay in performing an emergency C-section resulted in oxygen deprivation and irreversible brain damage. At the time, the Illinois cerebral palsy settlement was believed to be the largest recovery involving a birth-related brain injury.
$50.3 Million Illinois Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit Verdict
A Cook County jury awarded $50.3 Million to the family of a 9-year-old boy who developed cerebral palsy after finding that negligent care during labor and delivery caused a preventable brain injury.
The child was left with permanent disabilities, including hearing loss, impaired motor function, and the need for lifelong specialized care, according to his cerebral palsy attorneys in Illinois.
Medical providers at Evanston Hospital reportedly failed to recognize signs of fetal distress and delayed performing an emergency C-section for several hours. Continued use of Pitocin further reduced the baby's oxygen supply despite worsening fetal heart rate patterns.
Types of Illinois Cerebral Palsy Lawyers
Children can be diagnosed with different types of cerebral palsy depending on the areas of the brain affected and the symptoms they experience.
Our Illinois cerebral palsy lawyers represent families whose children have any form of CP and can investigate whether medical negligence contributed to their diagnosis.
Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy Lawyer in Illinois
Hemiplegic cerebral palsy primarily affects one side of the body, often causing weakness, muscle stiffness, difficulty with balance, and delayed motor development. Many children require ongoing medical care throughout their lives.
If your child's hemiplegic cerebral palsy may have resulted from medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or newborn care, our hemiplegic cerebral palsy attorneys in Illinois can investigate what happened.
Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy Lawyer in Illinois
Spastic diplegia is one of the most common forms of cerebral palsy and mainly affects the legs, making walking and coordination difficult. Children may require mobility aids, orthopedic treatment, and years of physical therapy.
Our spastic diplegia cerebral palsy lawyers in Illinois work with families to determine whether preventable birth injuries like oxygen deprivation or delayed delivery may have contributed to a diagnosis.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Lawyer in Illinois
Ataxic cerebral palsy affects balance, coordination, and fine motor skills. Children may experience shaky movements, difficulty walking, and problems with tasks requiring precise hand movements.
If medical malpractice contributed to your child's brain injury, our ataxic cerebral palsy lawyers in Illinois can help determine whether you may have grounds to file a birth injury lawsuit.
Athetoid Cerebral Palsy Lawyer in Illinois
Athetoid cerebral palsy, also called dyskinetic cerebral palsy, causes involuntary movements that can affect the arms, legs, face, and trunk. Children may have trouble sitting, speaking, swallowing, or controlling their muscles.
Our athetoid cerebral palsy lawyers in Illinois can review your child's medical records to determine whether preventable medical errors played a role in your family's injuries.
Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy Lawyer in Illinois
Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is characterized by involuntary, twisting, or repetitive movements that can make everyday activities challenging. Symptoms often vary throughout the day and may interfere with mobility, communication, and self-care.
If your child's dyskinetic cerebral palsy may have been caused by negligent medical care, our dyskinetic cerebral palsy law firm in Illinois can explain your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy Law Firm in Illinois
Hypotonic cerebral palsy causes decreased muscle tone, making it difficult for children to sit, crawl, walk, or maintain proper posture. Many children benefit from ongoing therapy and specialized medical treatment.
Our hypotonic cerebral palsy law firm in Illinois understands the lifelong challenges families face and can help determine whether your child's condition may have resulted from preventable medical malpractice.
Let Our Illinois Cerebral Palsy Attorneys Fight for You
Caring for a child with cerebral palsy can place significant emotional and financial strain on a family. If your child's condition may have been caused by medical negligence, you shouldn't have to bear the responsibility on your own.
At Sokolove Law, our Illinois cerebral palsy law firm has the experience, resources, and medical knowledge to investigate your case and pursue the compensation your family deserves.
Our Illinois cerebral palsy lawyers:
Can help families across the state
Don't charge any upfront costs or legal fees
Have secured over $1.1 Billion for families affected by birth injuries
Call (800) 995-1212 now or fill out our online form for a free case review. Our team is available 24/7 to listen to your story and answer your questions.
Illinois Cerebral Palsy Attorney FAQs
What is an Illinois cerebral palsy lawyer?
An Illinois cerebral palsy lawyer helps families determine whether their child's diagnosis may have been caused by medical malpractice during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or newborn care.
CP attorneys investigate birth injury claims, gather medical evidence, work with experts, and pursue compensation from negligent doctors, hospitals, or other health care providers.
If medical negligence contributed to your child's cerebral palsy, an Illinois cerebral palsy lawyer can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, therapy, assistive equipment, future care, and more. Call (800) 995-1212 now to get started.
Who can sue for cerebral palsy in Illinois?
In Illinois, a parent or legal guardian can typically file a cerebral palsy lawsuit on behalf of a child if medical negligence caused the condition. In some situations, an adult living with cerebral palsy may also have the right to pursue a claim.
Our Illinois cerebral palsy lawyers can review your family's circumstances and explain whether you may qualify to pursue a claim.
Can medical negligence cause cerebral palsy?
Yes. While not every case of cerebral palsy is preventable, some cases are caused by medical negligence before, during, or shortly after birth.
Examples of medical malpractice that may contribute to cerebral palsy include:
Delaying a medically necessary C-section
Failing to recognize fetal distress
Improperly using forceps or vacuum extractors
Failing to treat newborn jaundice
Not responding to complications requiring NICU care
An Illinois cerebral palsy lawyer can review your medical records to determine whether negligence may have played a role in your child's diagnosis.
How does medical malpractice cause cerebral palsy?
Medical malpractice can cause cerebral palsy when a mistake damages a baby's developing brain. In many cases, the injury occurs because the brain is deprived of oxygen or blood flow, experiences physical trauma, or develops complications that should have been diagnosed and treated sooner.
How much is the cerebral palsy settlement in Illinois?
The average cerebral palsy settlement is approximately $1 Million, although the value of an Illinois cerebral palsy lawsuit can vary depending on the facts of the case.
Factors such as the severity of the child's injuries, the cost of lifelong medical care, and lost future earning capacity can all affect the amount of compensation. Get a free case review to see if you may be eligible for a cerebral palsy settlement in Illinois.
How long do I have to file an Illinois cerebral palsy lawsuit?
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-212, Illinois generally requires medical malpractice claims to be filed within 2 years of when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered. However, special rules may extend the deadline.
In many cases, a lawsuit involving a minor may be filed within 8 years of the negligent act, so long as it's filed before the child's 22nd birthday. Our Illinois cerebral palsy lawyers can explain how much time you have to file.
How much does a cerebral palsy lawyer in Illinois charge?
At Sokolove Law, our Illinois cerebral palsy lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis. That means you pay no upfront costs, hourly fees, or out-of-pocket expenses.
Instead, your lawyer is only paid if they successfully recover compensation for your family. Contact us now to take the first step toward justice.
Ricky A. LeBlanc is the Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law. As Managing Attorney, Ricky is responsible for all communications with prospective clients and, along with his team of paralegals and case managers, review all potential cases.
