5 Most common types of birth injury cases in Michigan

Dearborn, MI – When a pregnant woman goes into labor, she expects to be holding her newborn as soon as possible, not to discover the little one has suffered a birth injury. Women put all their trust in their OB and the nurses, hoping they’ll help them deliver the baby safely. Unfortunately, sometimes things go wrong and in many cases, the birth injury could have been prevented, but for someone’s negligence. 

There’s very little parents can do in such a tragic situation, but trust other doctors to save the child and find a cure. This costs money, and quite a lot of it. The only solution is to talk to experienced Michigan birth injury lawyers right away and file a claim against those responsible.

What are the most common types of birth injuries?

Most types of birth injuries are caused by mistakes made by the medical personnel during labor, the delivery process, or immediately after birth. Some of these mistakes have catastrophic consequences for the baby and their injuries will affect them for the rest of their lives.

Cerebral palsy

No mother should have to hear these two words. Cerebral palsy is the term used for a group of neurological disorders which will affect the baby’s motor and development skills. The most common cause is prolonged lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain during labor and delivery. According to the CDC, 1 in 345 children in the US has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. 

 Erb’s palsy

This is a type of partial paralysis that affects the baby’s capacity to control their arms and hands. Erb’s palsy occurs when doctors use force to pull the baby’s neck or limbs out of the birth canal. Such maneuvers can stretch and tear the nerves in the baby’s brachial plexus, which may cause permanent damage.

 Shoulder dystocia

Shoulder dystocia is a birth injury that happens when one or both of the baby’s shoulders get stuck in the mother’s pelvis. In most cases, the baby will be delivered safely, but it may suffer fractures to the arms or shoulders, as well as damage to the brachial plexus.

Forceps injury

Improper use of the forceps during delivery can cause skull fracture and brain damage, as well as cuts and lacerations to the baby’s face. The mother may also suffer cervical and vaginal tears.

 Hypoxic or anoxic brain injury

Both are caused by lack of oxygen to the brain or inadequate oxygen and glucose supply. These injuries are most often caused by lack of proper monitoring of the baby during labor and delivery.

What is the statute of limitations for a birth injury lawsuit in Michigan?

A birth injury is a type of medical malpractice and for such cases, the statute of limitations is two years. However, birth injuries are treated differently, especially as the conditions they cause may take years to diagnose. The family has until the child turns 15 to file a birth injury lawsuit. However, you should contact seasoned Michigan birth injury lawyers as soon as the child gets a diagnosis as such lawsuits require a lot of time to prepare. Your lawyers will have to contact reputable medical experts to study the case. According to the law, only a qualified OB can be called to testify in a birth injury case.

Your lawyers will also need to talk to economic experts to determine the costs of the medical care the child will need for the rest of his or her life, so you have an estimate on how much money you should be seeking in damages.

If you live in the state of Michigan and you have a child who was injured at birth, schedule a free consultation with a reliable lawyer at Meyers Law PLLC and get their opinion on how to proceed with your claim. 

Contact info:

Meyers Law PLLC

3200 Greenfield Road

Suite 260

Dearborn, MI 48120

Attorneys Near Me

If you’re looking for a birth injury lawyer or need professional help with other legal matters, you may be wondering “Where can I find Attorneys Near Me?” Don’t worry, help is just a few clicks away. Just follow the link to go to the extensive database on usattorneys.com. Select the legal area you’re interested in, your state and your city, and schedule a free consultation with a trustworthy lawyer in your area.