Birth Injury

Is your baby suffering because of an injury that happened before birth or during delivery?

Our team at Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys handles all types of birth injury lawsuits for clients throughout Michigan.

We understand your immediate need to get medical fees paid and covered. Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced birth injury attorneys. We collect no fees unless we’re successful.

What Is a Birth Trauma?

Birth trauma is an action resulting in the death or injury to a fetus or newborn. It can be a life-altering event in the life of a family expecting to celebrate the joys of parenthood.

Common Birth Injuries/Trauma

There are numerous medical conditions associated with birth injuries, and many require lifelong medical care. These conditions can also heavily impact the mental, physical, and emotional development of a child, making it difficult for them to live a normal and productive life.

According to medical professionals, the following are the most common birth injuries:

• Brachial palsy
• Erb’s palsy
• Bruising
• Caput succedaneum, or swelling of soft tissue in the scalp which can sometimes lead to newborn jaundice
• Cephalohematoma, or blood underneath the scalp
• Facial paralysis 
• Fractures
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage, or when a blood vessel breaks just underneath the surface of the eye

Common Causes of Birth Injuries

The vast majority of birth injuries, no matter how severe, are preventable. There is no single overlying cause of birth injuries in the United States. However, some of the common causes include:

• Exposing the mother to certain drugs before and during pregnancy
• Improper use of forceps and other assistive devices during childbirth
• Improper positioning of the fetus prior to birth
• Failing to adequately monitor the vital signs or condition of a mother and child
• Failing to perform a necessary medical procedure in a timely manner

Often, the causes listed above stem from medical negligence and a lack of oversight. Some medical facilities also create environments in which such negligence is likely to occur.

Birth Injuries Versus Birth Defects

It’s important to note that birth injuries and defects are not the same. A birth defect occurs when the fetus is still forming in the womb, while birth injuries occur while the baby is being born. In Michigan, you can file a lawsuit against a hospital, doctor, or health care provider if either the birth injury or birth defect was caused by medical negligence.

Why Work With a Birth Injury Attorney?

Proving a medical professional or facility is guilty of malpractice can be immensely difficult without the help of a seasoned birth injury attorney. 

To successfully file suit, a claimant must prove the physician failed to provide an acceptable standard of care. In other words, they must prove the physician or medical professional consciously made a decision that was not in the best interest of the patient. To hold a medical facility liable, the claimant must establish the facility created an environment conducive to malpractice. Other parties, such as nurses, pharmacists, and physician assistants can also be held liable.

Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys provides aggressive representation for all types of birth injury cases in Michigan; our birth injury attorneys will help you understand current legislation surrounding medical malpractice in Michigan, prove negligence, and determine potential damages you could recover.

Request a Free Case Evaluation Today

As a parent, we know your child’s wellbeing is your top priority. If a negligent health care provider has caused your child to suffer, turn to Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys. We’ve been helping clients in Michigan settle birth injury claims for nearly four decades. 

Fill out our online form today to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with one of our birth injury lawyers.