Fieger Law has represented families across Michigan in complex medical malpractice claims. Our cases include uterine rupture cases involving delayed C-sections, poor fetal monitoring, and negligent obstetric care. We take birth injury cases seriously, especially those caused by preventable errors. If your family has been affected, we’re here to help you take action and hold the responsible party accountable.

Fill out our online form or call Fieger Law and get a free case evaluation from a uterine rupture lawyer in Michigan.

Understanding Uterine Rupture

The breach of a uterine rupture allows the unborn baby and uterine contents to spill into the mother’s abdominal cavity. The result can include severe maternal hemorrhage and oxygen deprivation for the baby. Immediate medical care can prevent life-threatening complications for both mother and child.

Common risk factors for uterine rupture include:

  • Previous cesarean deliveries
  • Trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC)
  • Use of labor-inducing drugs
  • Abnormal placentation
  • Uterine anomalies
  • Advanced maternal age

In the U.S., uterine rupture occurs in less than 0.1% of all pregnancies. Among women attempting a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), the risk increases to approximately 0.3% to 0.7%. As a result, cesarean delivery rates in the state have been a focus due to their association with increased risks of complications like uterine rupture.

Signs and Symptoms of Uterine Rupture

Uterine rupture is a rare but serious obstetrical emergency that requires immediate recognition and intervention. When it occurs, minutes matter. Medical professionals must identify and

respond to warning signs promptly to prevent severe outcomes for both mother and baby.

Maternal Warning Signs:

  • Sudden, severe abdominal pain, often described as a “tearing” sensation
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Cessation of contractions or abnormal contraction patterns
  • Pain that persists between contractions
  • Signs of maternal shock (rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, dizziness)
  • Recession of the presenting fetal part (baby moves upward in birth canal)

Fetal Distress Indicators:

  • Sudden, severe fetal heart rate abnormalities (bradycardia)
  • Variable or late decelerations on fetal monitoring
  • Loss of fetal station (baby’s position changes)
  • Reduced fetal movement

When medical professionals fail to recognize these critical signs or delay necessary emergency procedures, preventable birth injuries may result, potentially establishing grounds for medical negligence.

Consequences of Uterine Rupture

When uterine rupture happens, the risks are immediate and severe. You may face life-threatening complications during delivery, and your baby’s health can change in a matter of minutes.

Potential consequences include:

Risks to the mother:

  • Hemorrhage
  • Hysterectomy
  • Organ damage
  • Death

Risks to the baby:

The long-term effects reach beyond the delivery room. You may face a lifetime of medical care, therapy, and emotional strain. Families often adjust their entire lives around a child’s needs or cope with the trauma of unexpected loss. The impact is lasting and deeply personal.

Standard of Care and Medical Negligence

When you’re in labor, the medical team has a responsibility to follow clear protocols, such as watching vital signs, recognizing signs of distress, and acting fast when problems appear. If you had risk factors during pregnancy, your doctor should have planned accordingly well before labor started. Waiting too long to respond can cause permanent harm.

In Michigan, hospitals and doctors must follow state and national standards for prenatal care, labor monitoring, and emergency procedures.

Fieger Law will look at your medical records, provider decisions, and hospital actions to find out where the breakdown happened. If your care fell below the expected standard and led to injury, we’ll help you hold the responsible providers accountable for what you’ve been through.

Legal Options for Families Affected by Uterine Rupture

If uterine rupture caused serious injury or death, you have legal options under Michigan law. Whether the rupture affected you or your child, a medical provider’s mistake may give you grounds for a legal claim to recover the compensation you’re entitled to. Legal action can help cover losses and hold the responsible parties accountable for what happened.

Medical Malpractice Claims/Birth Injury Lawsuits

You can file a medical malpractice claim if a provider failed to follow accepted medical standards. That includes delayed C-sections, failure to monitor, or ignoring known risk factors. A birth injury lawsuit focuses on how the provider’s actions harmed your child during or after delivery. Expert testimony can prove negligence, a defective medical product, or other link it to the injury.

Wrongful Death Cases

If uterine rupture led to the death of a mother or child, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Michigan law allows surviving family members to seek damages for loss of companionship, medical costs, and funeral expenses. These cases must be filed within the statute of limitations, so timing is critical.

Michigan-Specific Laws Affecting Birth Injury Cases

Michigan law requires a Notice of Intent under MCL 600.2912b at least 182 days before filing a malpractice claim. An Affidavit of Merit from a qualified expert is also required under MCL 600.2912d. Non-economic damages are capped at $586,300, or $1,047,000 for catastrophic injuries, based on 2025 limits.

Compensation for Uterine Rupture Cases

Your compensation should reflect the full impact of what happened, including emergency care and long-term effects. We document every detail so your claim includes everything the injury has taken from you.

You may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Rehabilitation and therapy
  • Specialized care and accommodations
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Wrongful death damages
  • Long-term care needs

We work with a wide range of specialists to calculate the full value of your case. Our goal is to secure maximum compensation, so you are not left covering lifelong costs from a preventable medical mistake.

Why Choose Fieger Law

We’ve handled complex birth injury cases with a level of dedication that few firms can match. Our team understands the medical issues at the core of your case—from fetal monitoring errors to delayed surgical intervention. We know how to find the mistakes in your records and prove where care broke down.

You also benefit from our network of leading obstetric and maternal health experts who help us analyze every detail. We’ve secured major verdicts and settlements for families across Michigan and build each case with care and urgency. We know what you’re facing, and we’re here to help you take the next step and give you the support you need.

Contact Fieger Law Today

If your family has been affected by a uterine rupture, you deserve answers and experienced legal guidance. Contact Fieger Law today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you take the next step toward justice and recovery. You don’t have to face this alone.