Trial Testimony for Cerebral Palsy Cases

Reviewed by KW Life Care Planning Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-08-26

Trial testimony in a cerebral palsy case requires the life care planner to connect the child's functional level to concrete daily needs and to explain how equipment, therapy, and attendant care change through growth and into adulthood.

Checklist

Prepare jury-accessible visual aids showing needs by functional level and age
Rehearse direct testimony chronology from evaluation to plan
Prepare on likely cross-examination themes: replacement cycles, school services, and adult care
Coordinate with the causation physician and economist

Questions to ask the expert

Can you explain the child's functional level in lay terms?
What equipment and care will the child need as an adult?
What supports each frequency and replacement cycle in the plan?

Timeline

1-2 day-of-trial prep sessions.

Required documents

Final plan
Demonstratives
Prior deposition transcripts

Common pitfalls

Overly technical testimony
Inconsistency with prior deposition

Frequently Asked Questions

How are demonstratives used?

To show care categories by age, equipment replacement timelines, and the transition from pediatric to adult services.

References

CDC - Cerebral Palsy

Ready to Get Started on cerebral palsy cases?

Contact our team to discuss how KW Life Care Planning can support your case with certified life care planning expertise. Request a Consultation or call (201) 343-0700.