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Michigan’s Premier Birth Injury Lawyers
Welcoming a baby into your family should be one of the happiest moments of your life. However, it’s important for parents to be cautious and inquisitive when something doesn’t seem quite right with their bundle of joy.
Birth injuries can happen more often than many parents realize, and this experience is especially difficult when doctors offer few answers or assure parents that everything looks “normal.” In these situations, parents are encouraged to trust their instincts and seek further evaluation when concerns persist.
Birth injuries are not always obvious at first, and many parents don’t realize anything is wrong right away. Some birth injury signs and symptoms appear shortly after delivery, while others may not become clear for months or even years.
When those symptoms do surface, families are often left feeling confused and searching for answers. Many are left wondering whether the injury was truly unavoidable or whether something during labor or delivery could have been done differently. It’s an impossible position for any parent to be in, and the sad reality is that loving parents often blame themselves.
At Fieger Law, we help families through this emotionally grueling process. If you have concerns about your baby’s health or development, contact our team for a free consultation.
In the meantime, we share signs and symptoms to watch for below, as recognition is the first step toward getting answers and protecting your child’s rights.
What Is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury is physical or neurological harm suffered by a baby before, during, or shortly after childbirth. These injuries are often caused by a lack of oxygen, infection, or improper medical care during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
While some complications arise despite appropriate medical treatment, others result from medical negligence. Negligence occurs when healthcare providers fail to recognize warning signs or deviate from accepted standards of care.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Birth Injuries in Newborns
Some birth injury symptoms are immediately noticeable following delivery. These early signs may require admission to the NICU or urgent medical intervention. Then some signs aren’t as obvious. We urge parents to trust their instincts when something seems off, even if explanations are vague or dismissive.
Common early signs of birth injuries include:
- Difficulty breathing or irregular breathing patterns
- Low Apgar scores at one or five minutes
- Seizures, tremors, or abnormal movements
- Weak crying or high-pitched, inconsolable crying
- Poor feeding or difficulty sucking and swallowing
- Abnormal muscle tone (either very stiff or very limp)
- Bluish or pale skin color indicating oxygen deprivation
- Lethargy or reduced responsiveness
- Visible bruising, swelling, or fractures
Hospitals in the Detroit metro area, including Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, and Corewell Health Southfield Center, provide advanced obstetrics and neonatal care. However, even in well-equipped facilities, preventable medical errors can still occur, and early warning signs should never be ignored.
Birth Injury Symptoms That May Appear Over Time
As mentioned, not all birth injuries are immediately apparent. In many cases, symptoms don’t become noticeable until developmental milestones are missed. Parents often hear reassuring phrases like “every child is unique and develops at their own pace.” While development varies, persistent delays should be evaluated to rule out underlying issues.
Delayed symptoms of a birth injury may include:
- Delayed rolling over, sitting, crawling, or walking
- Poor balance or coordination
- Difficulty with fine motor skills
- Speech or language delays
- Learning disabilities or cognitive impairments
- Behavioral challenges or difficulty regulating emotions
- Vision or hearing problems
When developmental delays persist or worsen, it may be time to explore whether a birth injury occurred and whether earlier intervention could have changed the outcome. If your child is struggling with the effects of a birth injury, there are resources and therapy interventions available here in the Detroit area.
DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan provides inpatient rehabilitation for children with injuries or illnesses. Your child deserves a diagnosis and a treatment plan at one of our community’s top facilities. They may also have legal options if negligence contributed to the injury.
Common Birth Injuries and Their Specific Signs and Symptoms
Here at Fieger Law, our birth injury lawyers have seen a wide range of signs and symptoms. We have also seen firsthand the difference early intervention can make. Here are some of the most common birth injuries we see.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is one of the most commonly diagnosed birth injuries and is often associated with oxygen deprivation or brain damage during labor or delivery.
Symptoms of cerebral palsy may include:
- Muscle stiffness or floppy muscle tone
- Abnormal posture or involuntary movements
- Delayed motor development
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Muscle spasms or tremors
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE occurs when a baby’s brain does not receive enough oxygen and blood flow. The symptoms depend on which part of the baby’s brain is affected. It’s important to speak with a lawyer who understands HIE and what your child and family will need for future care.
Symptoms may include:
- Seizures
- Poor muscle tone or reflexes
- Slowed heart rate
- Feeding difficulties
- High alertness or low energy
- Hearing and vision problems
Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s Palsy)
These nerve injuries are often caused by excessive force during delivery, especially in cases of shoulder dystocia.
Symptoms of a brachial plexus injury may include:
- Weakness or paralysis in one arm
- Limited movement in the shoulder, arm, or hand
- Abnormal positioning of the affected limb
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and Skull Fractures
Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors can cause head trauma.
Symptoms of a TBI or skull fracture may include:
- Seizures
- Developmental delays
- Learning difficulties
- Behavioral or attention challenges
When Birth Injury Symptoms Are Caused by Medical Negligence
Not every birth complication is the result of malpractice, but certain situations raise serious concerns about medical negligence. They include:
- Failure to respond to fetal distress
- Delayed or improperly performed C-sections
- Inadequate monitoring of oxygen levels
- Misuse of delivery tools (vacuums and forceps)
- Medication errors during labor or delivery
- Failure to address known pregnancy risk factors
When warning signs are missed or intervention is delayed, the consequences can be life-altering for a child and their family.
The Long-Term Impact of Birth Injuries on Families
A birth injury doesn’t just affect a child. It touches every aspect of an entire family’s future. Parents often face emotional stress, financial pressure, and difficult decisions about long-term care.
Long-term challenges may include:
- Ongoing medical treatment and therapy
- Specialized equipment and assistive devices
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Lost income due to caregiving responsibilities
- Emotional stress and caregiver burnout
Families in Southfield and the greater Detroit area may seek help from organizations such as Easterseals Michigan, The Arc of Oakland County, and early intervention programs. While these support programs are helpful, financial compensation plays an important role in ensuring families can afford lifelong care for their child.
Compensation Available in Michigan Birth Injury Cases
When a birth injury is caused by medical negligence, families may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Assistive technology and mobility devices
- In-home nursing care
- Special education services
- Lost future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and reduced quality of life
Calculating these damages requires careful evaluation of medical needs and life-care plans by an experienced Michigan birth injury lawyer.
How a Michigan Birth Injury Lawyer Can Help
Birth injury cases are medically and legally complex. An experienced birth injury lawyer will be able to view your family’s unique situation through a broad lens to ensure every possible need is covered.
They’ll do so by:
- Reviewing medical records and fetal monitoring data
- Consulting respected medical experts
- Identifying breaches in the standard of care
- Building a strong claim for compensation
- Negotiating aggressively for a settlement or pursuing a trial when necessary
At Fieger Law, we are committed to standing up for families throughout Detroit, Southfield, and Michigan who are facing the consequences of preventable birth injuries.
Contact Fieger Law About Birth Injury Signs and Symptoms
No parent expects complications during birth, and families deserve appropriate care and clear communication when they occur. If your baby is showing signs or symptoms of a birth injury, you deserve clear answers and compassionate legal guidance.
Contact Fieger Law today for a free consultation. We are here to fight for the resources your child may need for the rest of their life.
