Best Cerebral Palsy Lawyers in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
To rank Philadelphia cerebral palsy lawyers, this 2026 list weighs their practice focus and published results alongside what reviews and experience show.
At the top is Wapner Newman Attorneys At Law. Along with a practice dating to 1978, it publishes infant brain injury results. Before calling, find out who would handle your child's case and who pays the firm's case costs. Under Pennsylvania's malpractice rules, which deadline applies? Ask.
4.7226 Google reviewsRated 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 226 reviews
Best for: Infant brain injury claims
For birth trauma resulting in brain damage, Wapner Newman Attorneys At Law publishes a $7 million result; it also reports $6 million for infant hypoxic brain injury. Because of those results and its 1978 founding, it leads this list. If you're concerned about oxygen deprivation at birth, the firm's site discusses those injuries and cerebral palsy.
Stood out in our review for its years of experience and the results it publishes.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
4.988 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 88 reviews
Best for: Delayed C-section injury claims
After a failure to perform a timely C-section led to cerebral palsy, Law Offices of Judy Greenwood PC reports a result exceeding $7 million. That makes it relevant here. For another birth injury involving a delayed C-section, the firm reports a $6 million result.
Stood out in our review for the recognition it has earned and the results it publishes.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
4.2100 Google reviewsRated 4.2 out of 5 on Google from 100 reviews
Best for: Birth and brain injury claims
Anapol Weiss ranks here in part because of Kila Baldwin's published $9.7 million neurosurgical malpractice verdict. The firm also reports a birth injury settlement involving a northern New Jersey hospital and an obstetrician, along with a labor and delivery nurse. It doesn't give the settlement amount.
Stood out in our review for the results it publishes and its years of experience.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
Not sure who to call first?
Tell us what happened. A malpractice lawyer who serves Philadelphia can look at it with you, and it costs nothing.
4.3474 Google reviewsRated 4.3 out of 5 on Google from 474 reviews
Best for: Birth injury case evaluation
Kline & Specter, PC received The Legal Intelligencer's 2018 Litigation Department of the Year Award for Medical Malpractice and Product Liability/Mass Torts. The firm's site discusses cerebral palsy and birth injuries involving oxygen deprivation. Tom Kline and Shanin Specter are among its attorneys.
Stood out in our review for how much of its work is medical malpractice and the results it publishes.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
4.523 Google reviewsRated 4.5 out of 5 on Google from 23 reviews
Best for: Hospital birth injury claims
In Hagans v. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Gilman & Bedigian reports a birth injury verdict of $182 million. If you're seeking a Philadelphia cerebral palsy lawyer, a result involving that local hospital gives you something particularly relevant to discuss. When its site discusses birth injuries, it includes those involving oxygen deprivation and hospital negligence.
Stood out in our review for the results it publishes and how much of its work is medical malpractice.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
When you talk to the lawyer, explain what happened and when you learned of the injury and its cause. With its discovery rule, Pennsylvania generally allows 2 years to file. Because children have a separate rule, have a Pennsylvania lawyer assess which deadline applies to you.
Review the medical records
When you discuss the care you're questioning, the chart and delivery notes come into the conversation next. Who'll review those records and arrange a medical opinion about whether the care met the required standard? Ask the firm.
File the complaint and certificate
For each defendant, Pennsylvania requires a certificate of merit with the complaint or within 60 days of filing it. To meet the requirement, it must state that an appropriate licensed professional supplied a written statement supporting a reasonable probability that the care fell below the standard.
Develop the claim
To understand how the claim will be supported, ask how the attorney will use records and medical opinions and document your child's care expenses. While the case proceeds, who pays costs? Clarify that. How will updates reach you? Ask.
Discuss settlement or trial
By publishing settlements and verdicts, the firms show different ways a claim can end. Before deciding on a settlement proposal, ask your lawyer to explain it and what a trial would mean. Although Pennsylvania doesn't cap compensatory damages, that rule doesn't tell you what your claim is worth.
Malpractice claims in Philadelphia: the rules that matter
The filing deadline in Pennsylvania
The clock startsWhen you found out, or should have
Time to start a claim2 yearsMiss it and the claim is usually lost.
Limits on damages in Pennsylvania
Pain and sufferingNo cap
All damages togetherNo overall cap
Expert paperworkFile a certificate of merit for each defendant with the complaint or within 60 days, stating an appropriate licensed professional has given a written statement that there is a reasonable probability the care fell below the standard.
A written agreementThe share the lawyer takes, set out before work starts.
If you recover moneyThe agreed share and the case costs come out of it.
If the claim failsNo legal fee on a contingency agreement. Ask about costs.
For several listed firms, representation is offered on contingency. If the claim fails, there's no lawyer's fee; otherwise, the lawyer takes a share of any recovery. Beyond the lawyer's fee, case expenses may cover medical records and medical opinions, with court fees also among the costs. Who usually carries those expenses isn't stated by the firms. If the firm advances them, will you have to repay them without a recovery? Ask both questions. You can consult any for free. Before you sign, request a written explanation of how the recovery share and expenses are deducted, including payments you might owe.
According to all ten firms listed here, their consultations are free. Contingency is offered by seven, they say.
What to bring to your first call
Your child's cerebral palsy diagnosis, together with their medical records
Newborn care records, plus any prenatal records and delivery notes you have
When treatment happened, and when you learned about the injury and its possible cause
Names of the doctors and other caregivers involved, plus the hospital's name
Your child's medical care bills, with the receipts
Messages or letters you've received from the insurer or hospital
A short written timeline, with any relevant photos
Questions about who'll handle your file, plus fees and case costs
Questions to ask a lawyer
1In your own work, which birth injury or cerebral palsy cases have you handled?
2When our file needs work or my child's records need review, who'll do it?
3For my child and any related family claims, when does the filing deadline fall?
4To complete the certificate of merit, how will you obtain the required medical opinion?
5When calculating your contingency fee, what do you use?
6If we recover nothing, who covers the case expenses?
7When we need answers or updates, how will you respond?
8By when can you tell us whether you'll accept the case?
Choosing a Philadelphia cerebral palsy lawyer
What care concerns you? Start there. If you're questioning a delayed C-section or assisted delivery, tell the lawyer; mention concerns about care after birth, too. For several firms here, birth injury results are published. Without a case-specific recovery, others still list cerebral palsy. Before discussing your child's case, ask what comparable matters the attorney handled personally and which records they'd need to review it.
Don't read a large verdict alone. While Gilman & Bedigian reports a birth injury verdict involving the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, some other firms list their largest results from unrelated litigation. Did the example involve similar medical issues? Ask. Even then, it won't show what your child's claim might be worth.
Ask about the deadline before anything else
Generally, you have 2 years to file in Pennsylvania. When you knew or reasonably should have known about the injury and its cause, the discovery rule starts that clock. If the claim is for a child, the rule is within 7 years of the malpractice or before the twentieth birthday, whichever is later. Get help calculating that date. To see how those rules affect your family, talk through your circumstances with a Pennsylvania lawyer.
Who'll review the delivery notes and decide whether the firm accepts the case? Get that person's name.
Who will be your contact? Get their name. When nothing new happens, how will you receive updates? Ask.
For each defendant's certificate of merit, how will the firm obtain the required professional statement? Ask.
Before agreeing to fees, ask for the agreement and an explanation of who pays expenses if nothing is recovered.
According to every firm listed, you can get a free consultation. Although there's no consultation charge to discuss your matter, the conversation doesn't commit the firm to taking your case. If a firm works on contingency, as several do, its lawyer's fee comes from a recovery; no lawyer's fee is owed if the claim fails. Before agreeing, ask separately who pays for records and medical opinions, and what happens with court fees.
Treat this as general information, not legal advice. Even if your records are incomplete, bring the dates you know. Before calling, you don't need answers to every medical question. What still doesn't make sense? Tell the lawyer.
Questions people ask
Which Philadelphia firm leads this cerebral palsy lawyer list?
First on the list is Wapner Newman Attorneys At Law. Along with a practice dating to 1978, the firm publishes a $7 million result for birth trauma resulting in brain damage and $6 million for infant hypoxic brain injury. Which attorney fits your family isn't something a ranking can decide. Before choosing, discuss comparable cases and find out who would be responsible for your child's file.
How long do I have to file a malpractice claim in Pennsylvania?
Generally, you have 2 years to file. When you knew or reasonably should have known of the injury and its cause, Pennsylvania's discovery rule starts the clock on that deadline. Children fall under a separate rule. Even without every record in hand, talk with a Pennsylvania lawyer about your circumstances and how the filing deadline applies to them.
Is the deadline different for a child with cerebral palsy?
If a child sues in Pennsylvania, the rule is within 7 years of the malpractice or before the twentieth birthday, whichever is later. Because related family claims need separate assessment, have a Pennsylvania lawyer review them and calculate the child's deadline. Even with the child's rule, don't put off getting advice about which dates apply to the claims.
Can I speak with a lawyer without paying for the consultation?
According to all ten firms listed, consultations are free; seven also say they offer contingency representation. Even after a consultation, the firm hasn't necessarily accepted your case. If fees are contingent, expense questions still remain. Before agreeing, request the fee agreement and have the firm explain case costs on their own.
What does a Pennsylvania malpractice case need before it can proceed?
For each defendant in Pennsylvania, a certificate of merit is required. Filed with the complaint or within 60 days, it must state that an appropriate licensed professional supplied a written statement supporting a reasonable probability that the care fell below the standard. To obtain that opinion about your child's case, which records does the lawyer need? Ask before proceeding.
What should I do before calling a cerebral palsy lawyer?
Start by gathering the records you have. When you write down treatment dates and the hospital name, also note when you learned about the injury and its possible cause. If you have delivery notes, include them; you don't need to collect everything before asking about the deadline. When you consult the firm, find out which records it still needs to review.
How long will a cerebral palsy malpractice claim take?
You won't find case-length estimates from these firms. To know what comes next in your matter, ask the attorney, and find out how updates will reach you. Although Pennsylvania requires the certificate of merit within 60 days, that filing deadline isn't a date when the claim ends. Because another family's claim settled or reached a verdict, yours doesn't get a timetable.
Does Pennsylvania limit the amount a malpractice claim can recover?
Because compensatory damages pay for harm, Pennsylvania places no caps on that type of damages. Only punitive damages against individual physicians are limited by its rules. What your child's claim is worth isn't answered by either rule. To understand which damages might apply, ask a Pennsylvania lawyer how the medical records and care expenses affect the assessment of your child's claim.
What if my child or another loved one died after the care in question?
Alongside other listed firms, Ross Feller Casey and The Killino Firm address wrongful death in their practices. When you first speak with the lawyer, explain the death and which part of the care concerns you. After a death, don't assume the child's filing rule settles every question about deadlines. To understand which rules govern your family's claims, talk them through with a Pennsylvania lawyer.
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