Common Birth Injuries | Causes, Symptoms & Legal Options

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Understanding Birth Injuries

Birth injuries can occur when medical professionals fail to follow proper procedures during labor and delivery. These injuries range from minor bruises to severe lifelong conditions affecting a child’s mobility, cognitive function, or overall health. In Michigan, medical negligence during childbirth is a serious issue, and parents have legal options to seek justice for their child. Birth injuries like cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, and neonatal seizures can have lifelong consequences. If your child suffered harm due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Learn more about your options by visiting our page on Legal Help for Birth Injuries in Michigan.

Many common birth injuries occur due to preventable medical negligence & delivery errors, while others result from unavoidable delivery complications & birth trauma. Doctors use birth assessments & medical indicators to diagnose these injuries early.

How Common Are Birth Injuries?

According to CDC data, approximately 7 out of every 1,000 births in the U.S. involve a birth injury. In Michigan, thousands of families face the devastating impact of preventable birth injuries each year. Some of the state’s largest birthing hospitals such as Sparrow Hospital (Lansing), University of Michigan Health (Ann Arbor), and Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit) handle high-risk deliveries where medical errors can occur.

Brain & Neurological Birth Injuries

These injuries impact brain function, cognitive ability, and motor control, often due to oxygen deprivation, infections, or physical trauma.

Brain Injuries in Babies – Damage caused by oxygen deprivation, trauma, or infections at birth.
Cerebral Palsy – A movement disorder caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth.
Spastic Cerebral Palsy – A form of cerebral palsy that results in stiff, tight muscles and impaired movement.
Infant Brain Trauma – Physical trauma to a baby’s brain, often due to forceps, vacuum extraction, or prolonged labor.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) – Brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation during delivery.
Intracranial Hemorrhage – Bleeding in the brain due to birth trauma or oxygen deprivation.
Periventricular Leukomalacia – A condition in premature infants where brain tissue softens due to oxygen loss.
Neonatal Seizures – Seizures in newborns, often linked to brain damage, infections, or metabolic disorders.

Nerve & Muscular Birth Injuries

These injuries affect a baby’s nervous system and muscle movement, often caused by excessive force during delivery.

Brachial Plexus – Nerve damage that affects movement in the shoulder, arm, and hand.
Erb’s Palsy – A type of brachial plexus injury that leads to partial or complete arm paralysis.
Klumpke’s Palsy – A rare brachial plexus injury affecting the lower arm and hand.
Facial Nerve Palsy – Damage to the facial nerves, often caused by forceps delivery.
Infant Nerve Damage – General nerve injuries affecting a baby’s motor function and reflexes.

Blood & Oxygen-Related Birth Injuries

These conditions are caused by oxygen deprivation, blood loss, or metabolic imbalances at birth.

Jaundice – A common newborn condition that, if untreated, can lead to severe brain damage.
Kernicterus – A dangerous complication of untreated jaundice, causing permanent brain damage.
Hydrocephalus – A buildup of fluid in the brain, often caused by birth trauma or infections.

Long-Term Effects & Legal Options

Many birth injuries lead to lifelong medical conditions, requiring extensive therapy, medical intervention, and financial support. If your child has suffered a preventable birth injury due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, future care, and pain and suffering.

How The Clark Law Office Can Help

At The Clark Law Office, we specialize in handling birth injury cases across Michigan. We work with medical experts to investigate negligence, determine liability, and fight for the compensation your family deserves. 📞 Schedule a Free Consultation Today. If your child suffered a birth injury, call (517) 347-6900 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

Common Birth Injury FAQs

What are the most common birth injuries?

Some of the most common birth injuries in Michigan include cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, and neonatal seizures. These injuries often result from medical negligence, oxygen deprivation, or delivery complications. Hospitals such as Sparrow Hospital, University of Michigan Health, Henry Ford Hospital, and Beaumont Health handle high-risk deliveries where these injuries can occur. Learn more about common birth injuries.

What causes birth injuries hospitals?

Birth injuries often occur due to failure to monitor fetal distress, delayed C-sections, oxygen deprivation, or improper use of forceps and vacuum extractors. Michigan law allows parents to file medical malpractice claims if a doctor or hospital’s negligence caused preventable harm. Find out if you have a case.

What are the long-term effects of a birth injury?

Birth injuries can lead to lifelong disabilities, including cognitive delays, muscle weakness, seizures, and speech impairments. Families in Michigan may seek compensation to cover medical bills, therapy, special education, and long-term care. Learn about your legal options.

Can I file a birth injury lawsuit?

Yes. Michigan law allows parents to file medical malpractice claims if a birth injury was caused by negligence. The statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of injury, but in some cases, it extends until the child’s 10th birthday. Michigan also requires expert medical testimony to prove negligence. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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