For the past 26 years, Irwin M. Zalkin has represented a variety of families tending to victims of brain injury. The one thing we can honestly say about Cerebral Palsy ('CP') is that no one truly knows what causes congenital CP. Most CP cases are the result of a congenital problem or an infection. However, a certain number of CP cases are caused when something has gone wrong in the prenatal care or birthing process that causes a lack of sufficient oxygen to flow to the brain.

Anyone who suspects that their child might have suffered a lack of proper medical care should investigate the issues with a qualified expert. Because the one thing we do know is that the economic burden of lifetime care can be tremendous. And not only are there financial burdens, but there are emotional challenges. One of the things that we do as a law firm is try to work as an intermediately to help families with their heath care needs and to help recover the financial means to pay for the needs of a special needs child through out his or her life.

There are substantial lifetime care needs that must be considered. For example,
what are my child's educational options and who will provide those services?
What public transportation is offered? Do I have the possibility of obtaining a modified vehicle to transport for my child. What home modifications and appliances are available? What recreational opportunities are available for special needs children? What public advocacy groups can help. How can a lawyer help?

The goal of our law firm is to answer all of your questions, and to do what we can to ease the economic challenges that you now face, and will likely face as your CP child gets older. We work very closely with expert medical providers and life care planners to develop a life care plan that will account for your CP child's future care needs. These are complicated legal cases. Whether the claim is against a doctor, hospital, drug manufacturer or other care provider, the insurance companies who represent these parties usually resist early efforts to resolve the case without litigation. However, most of these cases ultimately do settle before an actual trial. We do our best to buffer our clients from the legal battle and allow them to focus on their child's immediate needs.

We encourage our client's to call us and to participate in the legal process as much as they are comfortable with. Our hope is that you will not only get to know us as your lawyers and staff, but as your friends.