Cerebral palsy treatment and care can last a lifetime and there is currently no cure for the condition. The lifetime costs may be very high and difficult to manage for many families. If the condition is a birth injury related to a case of medical malpractice in Ohio, damages may be recoverable.
Cost for Cerebral Palsy Treatment and Care
According to a 2004 report from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the lifetime cost to treat patients born in 2000 who have cerebral palsy was estimated at $921,000 in 2003 dollars.
Of the $921,000 lifetime cost:
- 80 percent was for indirect costs (loss of productivity for work limitations, etc.);
- more than 10 percent goes to direct medical costs; and
- 9.2 percent goes to direct non-medical costs (modifications in the home to accommodate patient, etc.).
Costs can include ongoing medical care, developmental services, therapies, medications, assistive devices and special education and living arrangements for those with severe forms of cerebral palsy. It may also include medical care to treat complications related to the condition.
The ultimate cost may be much greater in some cases. When filing a claim for medical malpractice in Ohio, plaintiffs may consult their attorney to go over the full range of damages that may be recoverable. In addition to economic damages like those mentioned above, non-economic damages may be available as well.
Contacting a Lawyer about Medical Malpractice in Ohio
When a birth injury is caused by medical malpractice, victims have legal rights. Many of the costs associated with the condition can be covered through compensation recovered from the liable party, which in this case may be a medical professional who provided harmful or inadequate care. Mellino Robenalt LLC is a medical malpractice law firm that can help parents whose child has suffered a birth injury because of negligence. Contact (444) 333-3800 to set up an appointment to go over legal options to recover costs of cerebral palsy treatment and other damages.
