Birth Injury and the Statute of Limitations
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Learn About Birth Injury Statute of Limitations – Cochran Law

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

Birth injuries are not very common, but when they happen to your baby, they can be extremely traumatizing and concerning. While some birth injuries can be corrected, others may require lifelong care of your child.

Contacting a birth injury lawyer can help you gather necessary documentation for your case and write your claim in such a way that it highlights the need for compensation for your child. You may have a birth injury case and be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.

In Michigan, it’s important to understand the definition of a birth injury and the statute of limitations in which to file a claim. You may not receive a definitive diagnosis of your child’s birth-related injuries until some time has passed, but you still have the right to seek damages and medical-related expenses for your child in a birth injury lawsuit if your child suffers a birth injury such as Erb’s palsy due to a medical professional’s poor standard of care in labor and delivery. This compensation may also cover any pain and suffering experienced by you and your child.

What is a statute of limitations?

A statute of limitations is the time limit set on the period between when an injury occurs and when you can file a claim. Most crimes, except for murder, have a statute of limitations, and it varies from state to state.

In Michigan, the statute of limitations for birth injuries is within two years of the incident or six months of diagnosis of the injury. For a wrongful death lawsuit, the claim must be filed within three years of the child’s death.

There is an exception to the statute. If reasonable medical efforts have been made to discover the cause of medical issues related to a birth injury, but the cause was discovered past the statute of limitations, many courts will take into account this rule of “discovery.”

Types of birth injuries

Birth injuries can occur in a variety of ways. Some injuries can take the form of broken bones, bruising, and contusions. These can usually be fixed but are very painful and may take time and surgery in order to heal. Some of these injuries are caused by forceps, a vacuum, or general pushing through the birth canal. They can result in cranial bruising, broken collarbones or arms, and bruising around the brachial plexus nerve.

Other, more serious injuries include lifelong issues such as tearing of the brachial plexus nerve, intracranial hemorrhage, and brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation. Brain asphyxia can lead to developmental delays and conditions such as Cerebral Palsy.

Causes of birth injuries

Causes of birth injuries

Birth injuries can occur due to prolonged or difficult labors; however, they can often be prevented by a doctor who has properly assessed the situation. A doctor who sees a baby in distress and does not immediately order a C-section may be at fault for contributing to the injuries a baby sustains during a difficult or prolonged birth. Other ways doctors or midwives can cause birth injuries include:

  • Improper use of forceps or vacuum
  • Delay in ordering a C-section
  • Failure to note or ignoring fetal distress signals
  • Failure to anticipate or address birth complications
  • Improper care of the baby immediately after birth
  • Failure to address bleeding in the mother

Through proper evaluation of the circumstances of your child’s delivery, an experienced medical attorney will be able to assess whether or not your child’s injuries are a result of medical malpractice. They will also take your case before an experienced doctor or team of doctors to assess the ins and outs of your case and approve it to move forward as a medical malpractice case, as outlined by Michigan state law.

If your child will experience lifelong complications from these birth injuries, you can advocate for those responsible to compensate you for your child’s care. Birth injuries, such as brain injuries, can often affect a child throughout their lives. Do not delay in taking your suspicions to a medical malpractice lawyer today to assess your case before the statute of limitations runs out.

Contact us

Eileen Kroll is a registered nurse and a knowledgeable attorney, lending her unique expertise to medical malpractice cases. If you are looking for an experienced medical malpractice lawyer, contact our law firm today at 866-MICH-LAW for a free consultation and case evaluation. We never charge a fee unless we win your case.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.

Ms. Barry is studying Communications at the University of Pennsylvania. She has won multiple awards both for her persuasive and creative writing and has written extensively on the topics of medical malpractice law, personal and birth injury law, product liability law. When she's not researching and writing about these topics, she edits a literary magazine and tutors students at Penn's writing center.

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