Cerebral Palsy Statistics

An Overview of the Statistics of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability among children, affecting nearly 1 million people of all ages across the United States. About 1 in 345 children in the U.S. has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While many cases develop naturally due to factors like premature birth or brain injury, others may be the result of medical mistakes made during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. In those cases, families may be able to take legal action and pursue compensation.

10 Quick Facts About Cerebral Palsy

1. There are 4 main types of CP: spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, and mixed cerebral palsy.
2. Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common form, making up about 80% of all diagnosed cases.
3. Boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with CP.
4. Signs of cerebral palsy in babies include stiffness or floppiness, an overextended back or neck, and legs that cross or scissor.
5. About 42% of children with CP also have epilepsy, and as many as 1 in 2 use wheelchairs to get around.
6. Children who begin physical or occupational therapy before age 2 often show better motor and cognitive outcomes.
7. Most people with CP live into adulthood, with life expectancy often approaching that of the general population for mild to moderate cases.
8. Up to 90% of cerebral palsy cases are congenital, meaning they occur before or during birth, often due to preventable birth injuries.
9. Each year, about 20,000 medical malpractice claims are filed in the U.S., and many involve cerebral palsy.
10. Cerebral palsy birth injury cases result in awards of over $2.5 million on average.

Compensation from a cerebral palsy lawsuit can help families access the medical care and therapy their child needs, providing the best chance for a brighter future.

LawFirm.com has a network of birth injury lawyers who have secured over $1 billion for families across the country. They never charge any upfront costs and can help families in all 50 states.

Get a free case review now to see if they may be able to pursue the compensation and justice your child deserves.

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Facts About Cerebral Palsy: Legal & Financial Information

Cerebral palsy doesn’t just affect a child’s mobility or development — it also places a lifelong emotional and financial burden on families. The cost of medical treatment, therapy, and adaptive care can be overwhelming without legal and financial support.

Key legal cerebral palsy statistics include:

• Medical care costs for children with CP are 10 times higher than for children without the condition and 26 times higher if the child also has an intellectual disability, according to the CDC.
• The CDC estimates that lifetime health care costs for a person with cerebral palsy exceed $1.6 million when adjusted for inflation.
• In the U.S., approximately 67 medical malpractice claims are filed for every 100,000 deliveries, and about 13 claims are paid for every 100,000 deliveries, according to the National Library of Medicine.
• Coverys reports that 37% of obstetric malpractice claims involve mismanagement of labor, 29% relate to delivery errors, and 24% stem from mismanagement of pregnancy — all of which can lead to CP.
• Nearly 40% of families of children with special health care needs like cerebral palsy report experiencing financial hardship because of their child’s condition, as noted by the National Library of Medicine.
• About 2.3 million children with CP and other disabilities in the U.S. rely on Medicaid for health insurance coverage.
• Average Medicaid costs per year were more than 15 times higher for children with CP compared to those with other disabilities. 59.8% of costs were related to medical services, 29.1% to long-term care, and 11.1% to pharmacy expenses.
• Families pursuing cerebral palsy birth injury claims typically secure cerebral palsy settlements of more than $2.5 million on average.

These numbers highlight why many families decide to take legal action. A successful cerebral palsy lawsuit can provide compensation for medical expenses, therapy, and lifelong care — helping to ease the financial strain of raising a child when CP was preventable.

Statistics for Cerebral Palsy by Type

There are four main types of cerebral palsy: spastic, athetoid (also called dyskinetic), ataxic, and mixed. Each type affects muscle tone and mobility differently, depending on which areas of the developing brain were impacted.

Key cerebral palsy statistics by type include:

• Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common form, accounting for about 80% of all CP diagnoses.
• Spastic diplegia primarily affects the legs and affects about 35% of children, while spastic hemiplegia affects one side of the body and impacts about 25% of children.
• Spastic quadriplegia can affect all four limbs and is more likely to be associated with intellectual disability and seizures. About 20% of children have this type.
• Athetoid (dyskinetic) cerebral palsy makes up roughly 15% of cases. It is characterized by involuntary muscle movements that can make walking, eating, and speaking difficult.
• Ataxic cerebral palsy accounts for about 5% of cases. Children with this type often struggle with balance, coordination, and depth perception.
• Mixed cerebral palsy occurs in approximately 15% of cases, when a child experiences symptoms of cerebral palsy from more than one subtype.

These cerebral palsy facts and statistics matter because the type of CP often influences mobility, therapy plans, and long-term care costs. These shape what a family may be able to recover in a birth injury claim if the condition was preventable.

Statistics About Cerebral Palsy Causes & Risk Factors

About 1 in 323 children in the U.S. has some form of cerebral palsy. While cerebral palsy has several possible causes, many cases are linked to preventable medical errors during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.

About 85% to 90% of cerebral palsy cases are congenital, meaning the brain injury occurred before or during birth, according to the CDC.

Other cerebral palsy statistics involving causes and risks include:

• Post-delivery complications: After a baby is born, the incidence rate of CP is about 10-18% due to conditions like hypoglycemia, jaundice, and infections.
• Maternal health: Obesity, thyroid disorders, seizures, or maternal infections cause higher rates of CP, as do maternal developmental disabilities.
• Age: CP prevalence is higher in babies born to mothers under 20 or over 35. One study found 19% of affected children had mothers aged 35 or older, and 4% had mothers under 20.
• Race and ethnicity: Black children are 29% more likely to develop CP than white children, while Asian children had a 20% lower risk.
• Sex: Males are more likely than females to be diagnosed with CP, as noted by the CDC.
  Economic status: Those from lower-income demographics face a higher risk of having a child with CP.
• Premature birth: The prevalence of CP is higher for those born preterm or who have a low birthweight. Cerebral palsy is 70 times more common among infants weighing less than 3.3 pounds at birth, according to one study.

Health care providers are expected to monitor for the risk of cerebral palsy and address any concerns properly to prevent harm. When they fail to do so, their actions can have lasting consequences.

If you believe your child’s cerebral palsy may have been caused by medical errors before, during, or after delivery, LawFirm.com may be able to help. Get started with a free case review.

Get the Help Your Child Deserves

Take the first step toward compensation and justice for cerebral palsy.

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Statistics for Cerebral Palsy Complications

Many children with cerebral palsy experience other health conditions, often linked to the same brain injury that caused their CP. Co-occurring conditions are common and vary depending on the type and severity of CP.

Statistics and facts on cerebral palsy complications include:

• Roughly 4 in 10 children with CP have epilepsy, and 1 in 10 are also diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, according to the CDC.
• Intellectual disability affects nearly 50% of children with CP, while hearing or vision impairments, speech delays, and behavioral issues may also occur.
• Around 1 in 3 children with CP cannot walk without assistance. Many rely on wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices. Feeding problems, hip displacement, and chronic pain are also frequent and may require ongoing health care and therapy.
• 1 in 20 kids with CP have some level of hearing impairment, while 1 in 25 are deaf, according to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

These complications make CP one of the most complex and costly childhood disabilities, often requiring lifelong medical care, therapy, assistive equipment, and support services. Money from a cerebral palsy settlement can help families provide care.

“Our son was in the birthing canal for more than 10 minutes without oxygen, and he was put on life support. Miraculously, he lived but was diagnosed with CP. He cannot swallow or hold his head up. The compensation we received will provide care for his whole life.”

– Alaska parent who worked with our legal partner

Cerebral Palsy Statistics on Treatment

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition, but many children and adults with CP can live long, healthy lives with proper medical care. While there is no cure, early and consistent treatment can significantly improve mobility, independence, and overall quality of life.

Cerebral palsy facts and figures related to treatment include:

• Surgical outcomes: In one study, 90% of patients improved walking ability, 87% improved balance, and many reported better sitting, less pain, or complete pain relief.
• Physical therapy outcomes: Children who practiced functional daily activities improved more than in traditional therapy. Gains included motor function and self-care ability.
• Overall treatment outcomes: Studies examining the effectiveness of treatment in general found 40.5% of children with CP achieved strong, positive results.

When CP is the result of a preventable birth injury, taking legal action can secure financial resources to provide your child with the best possible care and quality of life. A cerebral palsy birth injury lawsuit can hold medical professionals accountable and cover treatment.

Get Help From a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Cerebral palsy can affect a child and family for life — but if the condition was caused by medical negligence, you may have legal options and a path forward.

A cerebral palsy birth injury lawyer can review medical records, determine whether preventable errors contributed to your child’s diagnosis, pursue compensation, and help hold negligent providers accountable.

The cerebral palsy birth injury attorneys in our network:

• Assist families in all 50 states
• Have secured over $1 billion on behalf of children injured at birth
• Never charge upfront costs or hourly fees

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Our team is here to answer your questions and connect you with the support your family deserves.

Call (888) 726-9160 now or get a free case review to see if a top cerebral palsy lawyer can fight for your family.