Michigan Breech Birth Injury Lawyers

A breech presentation occurs when a baby is positioned in the uterus with the buttocks, feet, or both facing downward toward the birth canal instead of the head. By the final weeks of pregnancy, most babies naturally move into a head-down (vertex) position. When this doesn’t happen, the delivery could be more complicated and potentially dangerous.

There are several types of breech presentation:

• Frank breech, where the baby’s buttocks are positioned downward with legs extended upward
• Complete breech, where the baby sits cross-legged with buttocks downward
• Footling breech, where one or both feet are positioned to deliver first

Each type carries its own risks, but all require careful monitoring and decision-making by obstetric providers.

Breech positioning is typically identified during prenatal ultrasounds or examinations late in pregnancy. Doctors might attempt to manually turn the baby into a head-down position. If the baby remains breech near term, a planned C-section is often recommended to reduce risk.

When providers fail to properly diagnose breech presentation, fail to recommend appropriate intervention, or attempt a vaginal breech delivery without proper safeguards, the risk of serious birth injury increases significantly.

Minutes matter in breech births. Breech deliveries carry increased risk because the baby’s largest body part—the head—is delivered last. If the head becomes trapped after the body has delivered, oxygen deprivation can occur rapidly. Even a short interruption can cause permanent brain injury.

Complications associated with breech birth may include:

• Head entrapment
• Umbilical cord prolapse
• Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia)
• Shoulder or arm injuries
• Skull fractures
• Intracranial hemorrhage (brain bleeding)
• Brachial plexus nerve damage
• Cerebral palsy

In some Michigan hospitals, vaginal breech delivery may still be attempted in special circumstances. However, strict guidelines must be followed. When those guidelines are neglected, avoidable birth injuries can occur.

Medical malpractice happens when healthcare providers fail to follow accepted standards of care in managing a breech presentation.

Obstetric providers are expected to:

• Properly identify breech positioning during prenatal care
• Counsel the mother about delivery risks and options
• When appropriate, attempt to turn the baby before labor
• Recommend a planned C-section when risk factors are present
• Monitor fetal heart rate during labor
• Perform an emergency C-section without delay if distress is present

It’s considered medical malpractice if a provider:

• Fails to diagnose breech presentation before labor
• Attempts a vaginal breech delivery when contraindicated
• Delays emergency surgical intervention
• Uses excessive traction or force during delivery
• Fails to recognize signs of fetal distress

Because breech complications can escalate rapidly, even short delays in decision-making can be disastrous.

Some breech birth injuries resolve with time and treatment. Others can permanently affect a child’s mobility, development, and quality of life.

In cases involving oxygen deprivation, a child could develop hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which can lead to cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, or developmental delays that require lifelong care.

Brachial plexus injuries, which affect the nerves controlling the shoulder, arm, and hand, can cause weakness, paralysis, or limited range of motion. In some cases, surgery and years of therapy may be required.

The financial and emotional impact on families can be overwhelming. When a preventable breech delivery complication leads to long-term disability, accountability becomes crucial to secure the resources necessary for a child’s future.

Contact Fieger Law now for a free case review. We know you’re facing financial uncertainty, and we know how to win.

It’s common for families caring for a child injured during a breech birth to need long-term medical and developmental support.

In Detroit, Children’s Hospital of Michigan and University of Michigan Health provide neurological care, rehabilitation services, and specialty programs for children with complex medical needs. Early On Michigan offers developmental evaluations and therapy for children of families who qualify.

Early access to therapy and coordinated care can significantly affect long-term outcomes. Securing the financial resources for consistent treatment is important for families navigating a birth injury.

Breech birth injury claims fall under Michigan’s medical malpractice laws. These cases involve specific procedural requirements that must be followed carefully.

Before filing a lawsuit, Michigan law generally requires a plaintiff to serve a Notice of Intent on the healthcare provider at least 182 days before filing suit. The Notice of Intent must include:

• The factual basis of the claim
• The applicable standard of care
• How that standard was breached
• The actions that should have been taken
• How the breach caused the injury

Michigan law imposes strict statute of limitations deadlines for medical malpractice claims. The standard time limit is generally two years from the date of the alleged malpractice, but special rules apply in cases involving minors.

The team at Fieger Law is deeply familiar with Michigan law as it applies to birth injury cases. We can help you meet Michigan’s filing requirements, so you don’t lose your right to pursue compensation over a paperwork mistake.

When a breech birth complication results in permanent injury, the financial consequences can extend across a child’s lifetime. A medical malpractice claim is intended to secure compensation that covers both immediate medical costs and long-term care.

In Michigan breech birth injury cases, damages may include:

• Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) expenses
• Ongoing medical treatment and specialist care
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
• Neurological evaluations and seizure management
• Assistive devices and mobility equipment
• Home modifications
• Special education services
• Future lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

In severe cases involving significant neurological injury, life care planners and economic experts are consulted to estimate decades of anticipated medical and support expenses.

It’s important to note that Michigan puts caps on certain non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. The amount of the cap depends on the severity of the injury.

Breech birth injury cases require meticulous review of medical records, expert consultation, and a clear understanding of obstetrical standards of care. Hospitals and providers often vigorously defend these cases.

Fieger Law has over seven decades of success representing families in serious birth injury and medical malpractice litigation across Michigan. We can consult experts, analyze records, and pursue accountability when standards of care are violated.

Families come to us seeking answers and an advocate. Our medical malpractice lawyers understand the pain and hardship you’re experiencing. We can fight for the resources your child may need for a lifetime.

Contact Fieger Law today for a free consultation. We can review your case, explain your rights, and determine whether negligent care contributed to your child’s injury.