Colorado Cerebral Palsy Resource Guide

Medical facilities for diagnosing cerebral palsy in Colorado

Early diagnosis is essential for children with cerebral palsy. Pediatric neurologists typically evaluate motor development, muscle tone, and reflexes while also using imaging studies such as MRI scans to identify possible brain injuries.

Children’s Hospital Colorado
13123 East 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone: (720) 777-1234
Website: https://www.childrenscolorado.org

Children’s Hospital Colorado is one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the western United States. Its neurology and developmental pediatrics programs evaluate infants and children with neurological disorders, including cerebral palsy and other movement conditions.

University of Colorado Hospital – Pediatric Neurology
12605 East 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone: (720) 848-0000
Website: https://www.uchealth.org

The University of Colorado’s medical campus provides specialized pediatric neurology services, diagnostic imaging, and collaborative care for children with neurological injuries and developmental disorders.

Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children
2001 North High Street
Denver, CO 80205
Phone: (303) 839-6000
Website: https://www.rmhc-denver.com

This pediatric facility provides neurological evaluation, neonatal care, and referrals for children with developmental and neurological concerns.

Treatment and therapy for cerebral palsy in Colorado

Treatment for cerebral palsy usually involves long-term therapy programs that help children develop strength, coordination, and independence. Colorado offers several well-established therapy centers and rehabilitation programs.

Craig Hospital
3425 South Clarkson Street
Englewood, CO 80113
Phone: (303) 789-8000
Website: https://craighospital.org

Craig Hospital is internationally recognized for neurological rehabilitation. Although it primarily treats spinal cord injuries and brain injuries, it provides specialized rehabilitation programs that benefit children with neurological impairments.

Children’s Hospital Colorado Rehabilitation Services
13123 East 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone: (720) 777-1234
Website: https://www.childrenscolorado.org

The hospital’s rehabilitation program provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy specifically designed for children with neurological conditions.

Children’s Therapy Center of Colorado
225 Union Boulevard
Lakewood, CO 80228
Phone: (303) 462-1500
Website: https://childrenstherapycenter.com

This therapy center offers multidisciplinary services including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and feeding therapy for children with developmental disabilities.

Organizations that support cerebral palsy in Colorado

Families navigating a cerebral palsy diagnosis often benefit from connecting with advocacy groups and nonprofit organizations that provide education and community support.

United Cerebral Palsy of Colorado
Denver, CO
Phone: (303) 691-9339
Website: https://www.ucpcolorado.org

United Cerebral Palsy of Colorado offers advocacy, employment services, and community support programs for individuals with disabilities.

The Arc of Colorado
Denver, CO
Phone: (303) 864-9334
Website: https://thearcofco.org

The Arc of Colorado advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities and helps families access resources related to education, healthcare, and community support.

Family Voices Colorado
Denver, CO
Phone: (303) 733-3000
Website: https://familyvoicesco.org

Family Voices Colorado supports families of children with special healthcare needs by helping them navigate insurance, healthcare systems, and disability services.

Transportation services for the disabled in Colorado

Transportation can be an important issue for families who must attend frequent medical appointments or therapy sessions.

RTD Access-a-Ride
Denver, CO
Phone: (303) 299-6000
Website: https://www.rtd-denver.com

Access-a-Ride provides paratransit transportation for individuals with disabilities who cannot use regular public transit services.

Via Mobility Services
2855 63rd Street
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: (303) 447-2848
Website: https://viacolorado.org

Via Mobility Services provides accessible transportation for individuals with disabilities throughout several counties in Colorado.

Colorado Community Transportation Network
Phone: (303) 398-2155
Website: https://coloradotransit.com

This program helps connect residents with accessible transportation options across the state.

Fundraisers supporting cerebral palsy in Colorado

Several community events across Colorado raise funds to support children with disabilities and neurological conditions.

United Cerebral Palsy of Colorado Fundraising Events
https://www.ucpcolorado.org

Craig Hospital Foundation Events
https://craighospital.org

Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation Events
https://www.childrenscoloradofoundation.org

These events often include charity walks, awareness campaigns, and fundraising programs that support medical research and therapy services.

Legal rights for those with a CP disability in Colorado

Children and adults with cerebral palsy in Colorado have important legal protections under both state and federal law.

• Medicaid coverage
  Colorado Medicaid provides health coverage for individuals with disabilities. Several Home and Community-Based Services waiver programs help fund therapy, personal care services, and adaptive equipment.
• Right to education
  Under Colorado special education regulations and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, children with disabilities are entitled to individualized education programs designed to support their developmental needs.
• Employment protections
  The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment and public accommodations.
• Financial assistance programs
  Families may qualify for Supplemental Security Income benefits, services from the Colorado Department of Human Services, and additional disability support programs.

Additional helpful info for CP families in Colorado

Families caring for a child with cerebral palsy often find that early therapy and community support can significantly improve long-term outcomes. Colorado operates an early intervention program known as Early Intervention Colorado, which provides services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays.

Parents may also benefit from connecting with other families through support groups or nonprofit organizations. Sharing experiences with other parents who are navigating similar challenges can provide valuable emotional support and practical advice.

Because cerebral palsy often requires long-term therapy and medical care, families may also consider financial planning strategies such as special needs trusts or long-term care planning. These tools can help ensure that children maintain access to government benefits while still receiving additional financial support.

Lawsuits for cerebral palsy in Colorado

When a child in Colorado is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, parents often search for answers about what occurred. 

Cerebral palsy can develop from many causes, including premature birth, infections, or genetic conditions. In some cases, however, the condition may result from preventable medical errors such as delayed cesarean delivery, improper monitoring of fetal distress, or mistakes in neonatal care. 

When negligence contributes to a birth injury, Colorado law allows families to pursue compensation through a medical malpractice birth injury claim.

Preparing to file a birth injury lawsuit in Colorado

Parents who believe medical mistakes may have contributed to their child’s cerebral palsy should begin by organizing the information that may be needed. Before any records are formally requested, attorneys often ask families to collect materials already in their possession. These may include:

• personal notes describing events during pregnancy or delivery
• a written timeline of labor, delivery, and the child’s early medical care
• discharge instructions or medical documents previously provided by the hospital
• insurance explanations of benefits or billing statements
• photographs or videos documenting developmental concerns
• written communications with doctors or hospital staff
• signed medical authorization forms allowing the legal team to obtain records

These materials help attorneys begin building an initial understanding of what may have happened during the birth.

Evidence your Colorado birth injury lawyer will obtain

Once a case review begins, attorneys in Colorado typically request certified records and medical evidence from hospitals and providers, including:

• prenatal and obstetric medical records
• labor and delivery charts
• fetal heart monitoring strips
• NICU records
• MRI or CT imaging studies
• placental pathology reports
• pediatric neurology and developmental evaluations

What must you prove in a Colorado cerebral palsy case?

To recover damages in a birth injury lawsuit in Colorado, a plaintiff must prove several legal elements:

1. a healthcare provider owed a duty of care to the patient
2. the provider failed to follow the accepted medical standard of care
3. the failure directly caused the child’s injury
4. the injury resulted in measurable damages such as medical expenses or long-term care needs

Your Colorado cerebral palsy lawyer will retain independent medical experts for your case to review evidence and provide an opinion on the above elements.

Colorado also requires a “certificate of review” early in the case. This document confirms that a qualified medical expert has reviewed the claim and believes negligence may have occurred.

How long does a birth injury case take in Colorado?

Birth injury lawsuits are complex and require extensive investigation. In Colorado, cases often take between two and four years to resolve through settlement or trial.

How many birth injury lawsuits are filed in Colorado?

Colorado courts process a large number of civil cases every year. State judicial statistics indicate that roughly 120,000 to 150,000 civil filings occur annually across district and county courts.

General medical malpractice cases usually account for between 2,500 to 4,000 of these yearly filings.

Birth injury claims represent an even smaller portion of these cases. Data suggests only 60 to 120 birth injury lawsuits are filed each year in Colorado for serious conditions like cerebral palsy or brain injury.

Average value of cerebral palsy settlements in Colorado

While the unique nature of each case makes it difficult to give an average value for cerebral palsy settlements in Colorado, past case results can be a guide. Here are a few examples:

• $10 million settlement (Denver 2022) – Cerebral palsy birth injury case involving allegations that medical staff failed to respond quickly to signs of fetal distress during labor.
• $6 million settlement (Aurora 2019) – Neonatal brain injury case claiming that delays in performing a cesarean delivery resulted in oxygen deprivation.
• $4 million verdict (Colorado Springs 2017) – Case alleged that abnormal fetal monitoring results were not addressed in time causing cerebral palsy.
• $3 million settlement (Boulder 2014) – Lawsuit alleging brain and neurological injuries from improper management of labor complications.
• $2.5 million settlement (Fort Collins 2011) – Medical malpractice case alleged delays in recognizing fetal distress led to cerebral palsy.

The value of your child’s case will depend largely on the severity of injury, amount of negligence and strength of evidence. A Colorado birth injury lawyer can review your specific facts to estimate your outcome.

However, these examples show the value placed on lifetime care needs in Colorado when negligence is proven.

Cerebral palsy lawyers in Colorado

Litigating complex birth injury cases requires a cerebral palsy lawyer in Colorado that can navigate medical evidence, expert witnesses, and damage calculations effectively to overcome strict certificate of review and negligence standards.

While Colorado has approximately 25,000 to 30,000 licensed attorneys, only around 800 claim to handle medical malpractice.

Even fewer have extensive experience handling birth injury cases for brain injuries. It’s estimated that between 75-150 cerebral palsy lawyers in Colorado have handled these cases through trial.

Before choosing a lawyer, ask:

• Do they have a reputation with judges and attorneys for fighting cases?
• How long have they handled birth injury claims in Colorado courts?
• Can they show you results from their prior birth injury cases in Colorado?
• Does their firm have the financial backing to fight powerful Colorado healthcare companies?

Cerebral Palsy Center considers these factors before recommending a cerebral palsy lawyer in Colorado for your family.

Legal aid organizations in Colorado

Families caring for a child with cerebral palsy may occasionally need legal assistance but may not be able to afford private representation. 

Colorado has several nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost legal services to individuals and families who meet certain income guidelines. 

These organizations typically focus on matters such as housing, public benefits, disability rights, and family law, and may also help families understand their legal options when dealing with healthcare systems or government benefits. 

Colorado Legal Services
1560 Broadway, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 837-1313
Website: https://www.coloradolegalservices.org

Colorado Legal Services is the primary statewide nonprofit organization providing free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income residents. The organization helps Coloradans with legal issues involving housing, public benefits such as Medicaid or SNAP, family law matters, consumer issues, and access to healthcare services. 

Metro Volunteer Lawyers (Denver Bar Association Program)
1900 Grant Street, Suite 900
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 837-1313
Website: https://www.denbar.org

Metro Volunteer Lawyers coordinates volunteer attorneys who provide pro bono legal services to individuals living at or below certain income levels in the Denver metropolitan area. 

Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center
2159 South Broadway
Denver, CO 80210
Phone: (303) 839-1008
Website: https://www.jamlac.org

Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center provides free or low-cost legal services to individuals experiencing financial hardship. The organization assists clients with issues such as consumer debt, employment disputes, family law matters, protection orders, and identification or documentation issues.

Birth injury trends in Colorado

Colorado records roughly 65,000 to 70,000 births each year. A small percentage of these births involve complications such as oxygen deprivation or traumatic delivery.

Based on national obstetric safety statistics, Colorado may see approximately 250 to 500 cases of significant birth trauma or neonatal neurological injury each year.

Overall trends appear relatively stable. Advances in fetal monitoring, improved obstetric guidelines, and increased awareness of patient safety have reduced some preventable injuries, though complex birth complications still occur.

Cost of a birth injury lawsuit in Colorado

Birth injury litigation is among the most expensive types of civil lawsuits. In Colorado, estimated litigation costs for a complex medical malpractice case often range between $150,000 and $300,000 or more

These expenses commonly include expert witness fees, medical staff depositions analysis of records, life-care planning, future medical expense calculation, trial exhibits and court preparation

Because expert witnesses and medical consultants often come from national academic centers, litigation costs in Colorado are generally close to the national average.

Colorado hospitals listed in birth injury lawsuits

While allegations alone don’t prove fault, it’s important to know a medical provider’s claim history when evaluating negligence.

Public court records from Colorado show the following facilities among those named in birth injury cases:

• Children’s Hospital Colorado – cases involving treatment of newborns after complicated deliveries.
• UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital – litigation involving alleged delays in cesarean delivery and fetal monitoring issues.
• Denver Health Medical Center – cases involving complications during labor and delivery management.
• St. Joseph Hospital – allegations involving obstetric care and monitoring during childbirth.
• Centura St. Anthony Hospital – claims involving delayed response to fetal distress.

Parents should consider past allegations when deciding if a mistake may have caused their child’s birth injury.

Laws for birth injury claims in Colorado

Updated laws & procedures

Colorado requires a certificate of review within 60 days of filing a medical-malpractice claim, confirming that a licensed medical expert supports the allegations.

Comparative negligence

Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence system. If the plaintiff is found 50% or more at fault, they cannot recover damages. This is unlikely in cases brought by an injured child.

Limits on damages in Colorado medical malpractice cases

Non-economic damages like pain & suffering are capped at $300,000, while total damages (economic and non-economic combined) are capped at $1 million. However, this amount can be increased if a judge rules that a $1 million limit is unfair. For cases filed on or after January 1, 2025, the cap on non-economic damages increases to $1.5 million.

Colorado Statute of Limitations for birth injury

• Cases filed by parents: Must generally be filed within two years of discovering the malpractice, and no later than three years after the act.
• Claims filed on behalf of child: Minors typically have until their eighth birthday to file, but early consultation is recommended.

Since the laws in Colorado may change and there are numerous exceptions to damage limits and the statutes of limitation, it’s recommended you have a cerebral palsy lawyer in Colorado review your specific case.