A baby's first cry should mark the start of a lifetime of possibilities. But when medical mistakes cause catastrophic birth injuries, that single moment can chart a far
different course—one filled with challenges, uncertainties, and staggering expenses most families never see coming. While no amount of money can reverse the harm done, understanding the costs ahead can help you pursue the resources your child deserves.
At Meyers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum, we've seen firsthand the astronomical prices parents pay when negligent care robs a child of a healthy future. For over 40 years, our Maryland birth injury attorney team has helped Maryland families secure the compensation they need to give their children the best possible lives—not just in the short-term, but for decades to come. Here’s what parents can expect financially.
What Expenses Come with Severe Birth Injuries?
The price of a birth injury extends far beyond hospital bills. When a baby suffers permanent brain damage, families embark on a lifelong journey of specialized care that touches every aspect of their lives:
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Ongoing medical treatment. From seizure medication to orthopedic surgeries, birth injuries often require constant medical intervention. Doctor visits, therapy sessions, medications, adaptive equipment—it all adds up fast, and health insurance rarely covers everything. Over a child's lifetime, out-of-pocket costs can easily soar into the millions.
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Dedicated caregivers. Many children with severe disabilities need 24/7 support from skilled nurses or aides—an expense that can easily exceed $100,000 per year. Some families have no choice but to leave their jobs to become full-time caregivers, sacrificing income on top of ballooning expenses.
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Accessible housing. As children grow, home modifications like entry ramps, stairlifts, and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms become essential. Renovations can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and they're rarely a one-time expense as needs evolve.
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Assistive equipment. From customized wheelchairs to speech devices, children with disabilities rely on costly adaptive tools that require frequent replacement as they age. A single power chair can cost $30,000 or more. Insurance reimbursement is a constant battle.
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Special education. Students with complex medical needs require dedicated aides, occupational therapy, door-to-door transportation, and highly structured programs—services not fully funded by public schools. Parents are often left footing the bill for critical support.
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Therapeutic recreation. Adaptive sports equipment, accessible summer camps, and specialized vacation accommodations enable children with disabilities to engage in new experiences. However, these come with premium price tags that often fall squarely on families.
The Lifetime Price Tag of a Birth Injury
Experts estimate the lifetime costs of raising a child with cerebral palsy can soar past $1 million. For babies who suffer severe oxygen deprivation during birth, that number climbs even higher. The CDC reports that children with intellectual disabilities incur medical costs up to 11 times higher than children without disabilities.
Very little of that financial burden is covered by insurance, and expenses only increase as children age. One study found that out-of-pocket medical costs for children with neurological impairment actually doubled from infancy to adolescence. Families spend thousands of dollars every month on essential therapies, equipment, and support, forcing parents to make impossible choices between financial stability and giving their child the best possible care.
How Can a Birth Injury Lawsuit Help?
When negligent medical care causes permanent harm, a birth injury lawsuit offers families a chance to secure the resources their child needs now and for decades to come:
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Long-term security. Successful birth injury claims can yield settlements or verdicts in the millions—money earmarked for a child's lifelong care in a special needs trust. With proper planning, a legal recovery can offset a lifetime of expenses.
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A network of experts. Birth injury lawyers work closely with life care planners, financial advisors, benefits coordinators, and other specialists focused on safeguarding a child's future. They become trusted allies for families navigating an uncertain path.
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Broader insurance coverage. Creative legal strategies may provide access to Medicaid waiver programs, ensuring a child's medical needs are met. Experienced birth injury attorneys also structure settlements to protect families' assets and income.
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Accountability for negligence. Doctors and hospitals rarely admit fault for birth injuries, and the legal system is often the only pathway to justice. A successful case sends a powerful message that devastated families deserve better.
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Peace of mind. Birth injuries impose a crushing financial weight no parent should shoulder alone. With a dedicated legal team fighting for the compensation your child deserves, that burden becomes a little more bearable.
No legal victory can undo a child's injuries or give back what was taken from their family. However, proper compensation can open doors to top-quality care, dedicated support, and long-term security that every child deserves.
The costs that come with catastrophic birth injuries are too much for families to bear alone. Don't let the financial fallout of a medical mistake rob your child of the future they deserve. The experienced Maryland birth injury lawyers at Meyers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum can help secure the compensation your child needs and deserves. It’s time to ease the monetary burden and give your child the best possible care for life.