Who Pays for Occupational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy?

 Posted on October 27, 2025 in Cerebral Palsy

When a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the first question parents ask is how they will afford the care their child needs. Occupational therapy is one of the most important parts of treatment. It helps children improve coordination, learn daily living skills, and gain independence.

But the therapy is long-term, continuing throughout childhood, and the costs can be very high. Families in Illinois who suspect that medical negligence caused their child’s cerebral palsy may be entitled to compensation to cover those expenses. This can make a major difference in how families plan for the future and support their child’s ongoing care.

If your child has cerebral palsy and you think it happened because a doctor did something wrong, you should talk to our Chicago, IL birth injury lawyers to find out what your options are.

When Medical Negligence Leads to Cerebral Palsy

Not every case of cerebral palsy is caused by medical negligence, but some are, and these are preventable. Medical malpractice happens when doctors or hospitals do not follow standards of care before, during, or after delivery.

If a medical error caused or contributed to a child’s cerebral palsy, the healthcare provider or hospital can be held legally responsible for damages. A successful medical malpractice claim can provide compensation for occupational therapy. It can also help parents pay for physical therapy, medical treatments, assistive devices, and lifelong care needs.

When a family wins or settles a medical malpractice case, compensation may include non-economic damages as well. Some examples of non-economic damages are pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. In some cases, a court may approve a structured settlement, which distributes payments over time to ensure ongoing care throughout the child’s life.

How Occupational Therapy Works for Kids with Cerebral Palsy 

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement, posture, and muscle coordination. It is caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth. Common causes include oxygen deprivation, infections, or medical mistakes during labor and delivery.

Occupational therapy, also known as OT, helps children with cerebral palsy perform everyday tasks more easily and safely. While physical therapy focuses on large muscle groups and movement, occupational therapy targets fine motor skills and coordination.

Therapists work on improving hand-eye coordination, helping a child learn to eat or dress, and teaching techniques to handle classroom activities like writing or using scissors. The therapist might also recommend adaptive tools, such as modified utensils, braces, or wheelchairs, to help the child function more independently.

Each therapy plan is customized. Sessions can occur multiple times per week and may continue for years. In many cases, occupational therapy becomes part of the child’s regular routine, helping him or her adapt to new challenges as he or she grows.

How Much Does Occupational Therapy Cost? 

Occupational therapy for cerebral palsy is expensive and often continues for the rest of a person’s life. The cost depends on the severity of the child’s condition, how often the child needs sessions, and whether insurance covers part of the expenses.

In Illinois, the average rate for pediatric occupational therapy is between $150 and $300 per hour. Children who attend therapy several times a week can easily incur tens of thousands of dollars in annual expenses. Over the course of childhood and adolescence, these costs can prevent parents from saving, retiring, or buying a home.

Beyond the hourly cost of therapy, families often face additional financial strain. They may need to change their homes to make them wheelchair accessible, buy special devices, and buy adaptive equipment for school and play. Even families with insurance usually find that their policies only cover a limited number of therapy sessions per year, leaving them to pay for the rest themselves.

Can a Lawyer Help Us File a Claim for Cerebral Palsy Treatments? 

Families of children with cerebral palsy face enormous challenges before they even tackle the process of paying for treatments. This is where a birth injury lawyer comes in. A lawyer can investigate whether medical negligence played a role in your child’s injuries. Attorneys who handle birth injury cases work with medical experts to review hospital records, monitor data, and labor and delivery notes to determine what went wrong. If it seems likely that malpractice was involved, the attorney can pursue financial recovery on behalf of the child.

If negligence is indeed a factor, the attorney will calculate the full cost of care for treatments over a child’s life. This includes current medical expenses, therapy costs, in-home care services, mobility aids, and future treatments. Because children with cerebral palsy may need assistance for life, a lawyer will often consult with medical economists to project the total lifetime cost of care. This number becomes crucial when negotiating a settlement or presenting the case in court.

Illinois law generally gives families two years to file a medical malpractice claim after the injury is discovered or should have been discovered. However, when the injured person is a minor, a claim may be filed up to eight years after the act of negligence. Families who wait too long to act risk losing their right to compensation, so it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible.

Additional Support and Resources for Parents of Kids with Cerebral Palsy

While a lawsuit can help provide long-term funding, families can also explore other options that offer short-term or supplemental assistance. The Illinois Early Intervention Program helps children under three receive therapy services, while Medicaid and All Kids may provide coverage for children whose families meet income requirements.

Children with disabilities may also qualify for Supplemental Security Income, and school districts are required under federal law to offer occupational therapy as part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) if the child qualifies.

A birth injury attorney familiar with Illinois programs can help parents identify which resources they qualify for while also pursuing broader financial recovery through a malpractice claim.

Contact a Chicago, IL Birth Injury Lawyer

If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and you believe a medical mistake may be to blame, the Cook County, IL birth injuries attorneys at Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. can help. Our firm has decades of experience representing families in complex medical negligence cases throughout Cook County. We will pursue compensation to cover your child’s occupational therapy, medical expenses, and lifelong care needs. Contact us today at 312-462-4200 to schedule a free consultation.