Birth Injuries: Extending Beyond Cerebral Palsy

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry L. Cochran

Cerebral palsy is usually the first thing that comes to mind when parents hear the words birth injury. It’s a serious condition, but it’s not the only kind of harm that can happen during delivery. Brachial plexus injuries, Erb’s palsy, skull fractures, and nerve damage also fall under preventable birth trauma. If a child shows developmental delays or unexplained health problems that began at delivery, there may be a birth injury that’s worth investigating.

Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. has worked with many Michigan families to understand what went wrong in the delivery room. Not every complication is the result of negligence, but when warning signs are ignored or tools are used incorrectly, the results can be permanent.

Common Birth Injuries Beyond Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy gets the most attention, but other injuries can be just as damaging. Erb’s palsy happens when shoulder nerves are stretched or torn during delivery, and it leaves one arm weak or partially paralyzed. Brachial plexus injuries affect the nerve network that runs from the spine to the shoulder and arm.

Fractured collarbones or skull fractures can occur when forceps or vacuums are misused. Damage to facial nerves can leave one side of the face drooping or make it difficult to close an eye. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE, results from oxygen loss and can cause seizures or learning problems even without cerebral palsy. Subgaleal hemorrhage is a rare but serious bleed between the scalp and skull. It can happen when a vacuum extractor is applied too forcefully or for too long. Each of these injuries can lead to lasting challenges.

Medical Causes and Delivery Mistakes

Most birth injuries come down to a handful of common errors. One is failing to monitor the fetal heart rate properly, as readings show if the baby is in distress. If medical staff don’t notice or treat a low heart rate, it can cause permanent brain injury.

Another cause is delaying a C-section when labor complications arise. Waiting too long can lead to oxygen deprivation or nerve damage. In shoulder dystocia cases, where the baby’s shoulder gets stuck, specific maneuvers must be followed carefully. Pulling too hard risks broken bones and torn nerves.

Forceps and vacuum extractors are sometimes necessary, but improper use can cause skull or facial injuries. Too much Pitocin can cause contractions that are strong enough to restrict oxygen flow. And infections during pregnancy that aren’t treated may spread to the baby, leading to sepsis or meningitis. The causes differ, but all of these situations are preventable.

Long-Term Effects of Undiagnosed Birth Injuries

Some birth injuries show up right after delivery, but others can take years to identify. Missed milestones or struggles with coordination might be the effects of an undiagnosed injury. Vision and hearing loss, chronic pain, and feeding problems can all stem from complications at birth.

Birth injuries can mean ongoing therapy, medical treatments, and adaptive equipment for the rest of a person’s life. For children with permanent disabilities, the financial impact grows as they age. When medical negligence causes an injury, families shouldn’t be left alone to face the cost.

Legal Recourse: How a Birth Injury Lawyer in Michigan Can Help

If your child’s condition could have been avoided, it’s important to review what happened. A Michigan birth injury lawyer can examine medical records, consult experts, and identify where standards of care weren’t met. When hospitals or providers make preventable mistakes, families have the right to seek compensation for the damages.

When to Contact a Lawyer

It’s best to reach out to a childbirth injury attorney as soon as possible if your baby was diagnosed with nerve damage, fractures, or brain injury after delivery. Ignored fetal distress, delayed C-sections, or improper use of delivery tools are all signs that something may have gone wrong. Even if you’re uncertain about negligence, an early consultation helps preserve evidence and protects your legal options.

A birth injury lawyer near you can gather records, speak with witnesses, and bring in medical experts to review what occurred. Michigan law limits how long you have to file, so starting early gives your attorney time to build a solid case.

Compensation and the Claim Process

Families in birth injury cases may be entitled to compensation for things like medical expenses, therapy, future care needs, etc. Settlements can also address pain and suffering, lost wages, and the cost of modifying a home for long-term care.

Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. handles these cases on contingency, which means you don’t pay a thing unless we win. We begin the process by reviewing medical records and identifying where care may have fallen short. The firm then works with experts and negotiates directly with insurance companies. If those talks don’t lead to a fair settlement, the case may go to court.

Michigan’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally two years from the date of injury, though exceptions exist for minors. A birth injury lawyer can explain how those deadlines apply to your case.

Moving Forward After a Birth Injury

Birth injuries can alter a family’s future and create long-term medical and financial challenges. When a doctor or hospital fails to provide proper care, legal action may be the only way to cover the costs of ongoing treatment and secure your child’s future.

Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. has represented Michigan families for decades in these complex cases. The firm’s attorneys understand both the legal process and the medical issues involved. If you believe medical mistakes contributed to your child’s condition, the next step is to talk with an attorney familiar with birth injury claims.

You can reach Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. at 1-866-MICH-LAW or contact us online for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7, and you won’t pay any fees 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.