Cerebral Palsy Statistics

Many people have heard of the medical condition cerebral palsy, and most of us have known someone affected by this type of birth injury at some point in our life. The facts and statistics surrounding cerebral palsy are startling. Below are some of the most frequently cited cerebral palsy statistics and facts available, which will lend additional understanding about this medical condition.

Cerebral Palsy Cases Annually

It is estimated that around 10,000 babies will develop cerebral palsy every year. This cerebral palsy statistic is based on numbers provided by the Center for Disease Control. According to the March of Dimes, two to three children out of 1,000 children have cerebral palsy.

Total Cerebral Palsy Cases

If it seems like cerebral palsy is fairly common, it's because it is, relatively speaking. In fact, United Cerebral Palsy estimates that there are more than 800,000 people in the United States alone who have cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy Cost

Many people who have a child that has cerebral palsy pursue a lawsuit against the responsible physicians or medical practitioners. This is because the cost of caring for a loved one with cerebral palsy is astonishing. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, the lifetime cost of caring for a loved one with CP is close to $1 million dollars. However, that does not include hospital costs, ER visits, out of pocket expenses, and residential care.

Mental Impairment Due to Cerebral Palsy

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone who suffers from cerebral palsy is mentally impaired. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Strokes, about two-thirds of the people affected by cerebral palsy are mentally impaired. The rest only suffer physical disabilities.

Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy

Although cerebral palsy occurs before, during, or immediately after birth, most children are not diagnosed with the condition right away. In fact, most children are not diagnosed until they are age 2 or 3. On average, 8,000 infants and 1,500 preschool-aged children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year.

Consult a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

It is important that you speak with a cerebral palsy attorney for a legal consultation if the condition arose as the result of medical negligence. Your legal representative can help you learn about your legal entitlements and win you the financial compensation necessary to pay for cerebral palsy treatments or adaptive devices for cerebral palsy. Do not delay. Act now.