A medical error during birth can produce lifelong effects. The Michigan birth injury lawyers at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. represent families whose newborns suffered preventable harm during delivery.
We’ve worked on cases involving cerebral palsy, seizures, and developmental delays that were caused by preventable mistakes. Our Michigan birth trauma attorney team focuses on holding the accountable parties responsible and obtaining financial compensation for families under Michigan law.
Understanding Birth Injuries in Michigan
A birth injury happens when a baby is hurt before, during, or right after delivery. Some injuries are minor and heal with time, but others can lead to lifelong challenges.
We see a lot of cases where a C-section wasn’t done soon enough and the baby lost oxygen, or where too much pressure during delivery caused a shoulder injury like Erb’s palsy, and sometimes an infection that should’ve been treated ends up causing birth trauma.
Why Hire a Michigan Birth Trauma Attorney?
Medical malpractice cases are complicated and usually need input from medical experts, so it’s important to look for birth trauma law firms that understand both the medical side and Michigan law so they can figure out what went wrong and what should have been done differently.
At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., we work with doctors and specialists who review medical records and can point out where care fell below standard. In birth trauma injury cases, compensation can cover things like medical bills, therapy, special education, adaptive equipment, or lost income in the future.
Hospitals and insurance companies will often say that the injury was something that couldn’t have been avoided, or they might try to blame something or someone else, even the parents. Our Michigan birth trauma injury attorney team knows how to defend you and your child and use medical records and expert testimonies to show that the injuries were caused by medical negligence.
Common Causes of Birth Trauma Cases
Birth injury claims in Michigan often have to do with mistakes that could have been prevented, like the following:
Failure to monitor fetal distress: When doctors don’t respond to unusual heart rate patterns in time, the baby can experience oxygen deprivation, and this can lead to brain injury.
Delayed emergency delivery: Babies can suffer from hypoxia or other permanent injuries if medical professionals take too long to perform a C-section or other intervention.
Medication errors: Using too much Pitocin or similar drugs can cause contractions that are too strong and can slow down blood flow and cause oxygen deprivation.
Untreated maternal conditions: Ignoring the signs of preeclampsia or infection can be extremely dangerous for the baby and the mother as well.
You usually have three years in Michigan to file medical malpractice claims, but with birth injuries, the case may be different because they don’t always show up right away.
Types of Birth Injuries and Long-Term Effects
Cerebral Palsy
This is a disorder that’s caused by brain damage during birth that affects a person’s movement and coordination permanently. It requires long-term care and support, so it’s important to find a Michigan birth trauma attorney to seek compensation for the long-term care and support the child will need.
Erb’s Palsy and Brachial Plexus Injuries
Too much pulling on the baby’s arm during birth can cause nerve damage in the shoulder and arm, which can lead to weakness or paralysis, known as Erb’s palsy, which can be temporary or permanent.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE is the result of a baby not getting enough oxygen before or during birth, which can have different effects. Some children might have mild learning difficulties, but others may end up with serious disabilities and need ongoing care.
How a Birth Trauma Law Firm Can Help
Birth injury legal help will gather the right evidence to build a strong case, including medical records, fetal monitor data, witness statements, etc.
Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. handles every part of your birth injury claim in Michigan, which means we take care of the paperwork and deal with insurance companies. Plus, we’re prepared to go to trial if that’s what it takes.
There’s no upfront cost. We work on a contingency basis, so we only get paid if you win your case.
Filing a Birth Injury Claim in Michigan
Create a paper trail with every medical record and bill you have, and anything else that’s related to your case. When in doubt, keep it. If there are visible injuries, take pictures. Also, do your best to remember what you saw and heard during delivery and write it all down.
Reach out to us as soon as you can, and we’ll give you a free case review. Keep in mind that Michigan law sets limits regarding how much time you have to file, and it’s better to get started early. We’ll go over what happened and walk you through your legal options.
Our team will also collect all relevant medical records and have independent specialists review them to see if proper care was given. Most birth trauma cases settle before trial, but we prepare each one as if it’s going to court.
Working with Michigan Birth Trauma Injury Attorneys
Our attorneys take the time to explain medical and legal issues in a way that’s easy to understand, and we’re available to answer any questions you have throughout the entire process.
At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., we’ve built a reputation for being thorough and persistent. Insurance companies know that we carefully investigate our cases, which means they’re more likely to offer fairer settlements.
Let Cochran, Kroll & Associates Fight for Your Family
If a medical mistake during birth caused serious injury, you need lawyers who understand both the medical issues and Michigan malpractice law. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. helps families hold negligent healthcare providers responsible for the harm they’ve done.
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case.
They review medical records, consult with experts, and build cases showing how medical negligence caused injury.
How do I choose the right birth trauma attorney?
Look for firms that have experience in birth injury litigation and ask them how they use medical experts or approach trial work.
What types of birth injuries qualify for claims?
Birth injury claims in Michigan often involve oxygen loss, brain or nerve injury, and conditions like cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy.
How soon should I contact a law firm?
Right away. Evidence can disappear quickly, so it needs to be gathered as soon as possible. Plus, missed deadlines can end your right to compensation.
Can I get compensation for a birth trauma injury?
Yes. The damages may include medical expenses, therapy, adaptive equipment, and pain and suffering.
What is the role of a Michigan birth trauma injury attorney?
Your attorney investigates, identifies responsible parties, calculates damages, negotiates with insurers, and represents you if the case goes to court.
The financial burden of caring for a child with a birth injury can be catastrophic. Because the condition does not improve over time, the parents will face that financial burden throughout the child’s life. Such an extreme financial burden should be shared by those responsible when medical malpractice has been established. Both Kroll and Cochran agree that most doctors, nurses and hospitals are excellent but strongly feel that when malpractice is involved in a birth injury the baby and parents must be adequately compensated.
Act quickly
Statutes of limitation limit the length of time you have to file a lawsuit. Depending on the nature of your case, the time limits may be from one to 15 years after the incident. If you fail to file a lawsuit within that time period you may forever be denied the justice due you. If your baby was injured at birth and you believe that you have a case, it is critical that you seek legal help quickly.
If you believe you are a victim of a birth injury, let Cochran, Kroll & Associates fight for your rights.
Cochran, Kroll & Associates will provide a free consultation, either on the telephone, over the Internet, in person and sometimes at your home or in the hospital room. You will be charged a contingency fee which means that the attorney will only be paid a fee if a recovery is made. “The purpose of the contingency fee agreement is to provide access to justice, says Cochran. “It would be totally unfair if an injured person was unable to seek compensation because he or she couldn’t afford an attorney.”
The Law Offices of Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. is dedicated to representing individuals and families who have suffered catastrophic losses as a result of injuries, disabilities and death. The firm does not represent insurance companies or corporations but instead bases its practice upon representing individuals and families.
RESULTS-DRIVEN TRACK RECORD
$15.8 Million
Medical Malpractice / Birth Injury
Monroe, Michigan
WHAT HAPPENED:
A young couple from Monroe, Michigan, was awarded a $15.8 million verdict as the result of their baby son, Jason, being inflicted with Cerebral Palsy as the result of an error during the final stages of a labor.
Result: $15.8 Million
$1 Million
Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death
Oakland County, Michigan
What Happened:
While in the hospital a mother of three was not properly treated for a closed-head injury causing her untimely death.
Result: $1 Million
$1.4 Million
Accidents & Injuries/Brain Injury
Livonia, Michigan
What Happened:
A Livonia pedestrian recovered $1.4 million when he was struck by a commercial van resulting in a traumatic brain injury in Redford, Michigan.
Result: $1.4 Million
$9 Million
Medical Malpractice / Misdiagnosis
Wayne County, Michigan
WHAT HAPPENED:
Patient suffered cardiac arrest and brain damage when a hospital failed to recognize internal bleeding and treatment was delayed for more than 14 hours.
Result: $9 Million
$3.3 Million
Accidents & Injuries/Auto Accident
Tuscola County, Michigan
WHAT HAPPENED:
A Tuscola County jury awarded $3.3 million to a severely brain injured motorist as the result of a defective Michigan highway.
Result: $3.3 Million
$1.25 Million
Accidents & Injuries/Construction Site Injury
Flint, Michigan
WHAT HAPPENED:
A seventeen-year-old construction worker suffered a traumatic brain injury resulting from a fall in Flint, Michigan, and was awarded $1.25 million.
Result: $1.25 Million
$1.9 Million
Medical Malpractice
Wayne County, Michigan
What Happened:
Middle-aged woman suffered severe disfiguring facial burns from a simple surgical procedure.
Result: $1.9 Million
$3.8 Million
Medical Malpractice / Birth Trauma
Southern Michigan
What Happened:
Child developed cerebral palsy with developmental delays due to lack of oxygen and brain injury during labor and delivery.
A Westland construction worker recovered $1.5 million after sustaining a traumatic brain injury while on a construction site in Detroit, Michigan.
Result: $1.5 Million
$1.3 Million
Accidents & Injuries/Truck Accident
Marlette, Michigan
What Happened:
A Marlette, Michigan, family reached a $1.3 million settlement in the traffic death of their 5-year-old son when they were struck by a semi truck.
Result: $1.3 Million
$225,000
Medical Malpractice/Cancer Misdiagnosis
Redford, Michigan
What Happened:
The misdiagnosis of breast cancer resulted in a Redford, Michigan, woman recovering $225,000.
Result: $225,000
$125,000
Workers Compensation
Detroit, Michigan
What Happened:
A construction worker redeemed his worker’s compensation case for $125,000 in Detroit, Michigan.
Result: $125,000
$400,000
Accidents & Injuries/Auto Accident
Monroe, Michigan
What Happened:
A paraplegic woman from Monroe, Michigan, recovered Michigan no-fault benefits including the purchase of a new home and attendant care in excess of $400,000.
Result: $125,000
$2.2 Million
Medical Malpractice/Birth Injury
Brighton, Michigan; Detroit, Michigan
What Happened:
A Brighton family recovered $1.3 million and a Detroit family recovered $900,000 as the result of birth injuries and medical malpractice to their children.
Result: $2.2
$80,000
Accidents & Injuries/Auto Accident
Bay City, Michigan
What Happened:
A Bay City grandmother was awarded $80,000 following an auto accident resulting in a broken leg.
Result: $80,000
FREE CONSULTATION NO FEES UNTIL WE WIN
There is no obligation for a case evaluation & no fee is charged unless a recovery is made.
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