Michigan Birth Injury Attorneys
Not sure what happened during your delivery—or what to do next?
This page is built to help you figure that out. We’ve structured it around real questions parents ask after a birth injury. Whether you’re looking for answers, options, or just trying to understand what went wrong, you’ll find clear explanations, common causes, and guidance on what steps to take.
Start wherever your story fits. If something here sounds familiar, we’re ready to listen.
How Do I Know If My Baby’s Birth Injury Was Caused by Malpractice?
What if the hospital says it couldn’t have been prevented?
Clarity starts with intuition but only comes with due diligence. You need an experienced lawyer to uncover the truth. Most hospitals don’t intend to cause harm. There are protocols in place to reduce risk, and in many cases, those systems work. But when something goes wrong, a different set of systems kicks in, ones designed to protect the institution, not the patient.
We’ve seen it over and over. A serious injury gets framed as unavoidable. A complication gets brushed off as just one of those things. Staff don’t always lie outright. They fall back on what they’ve been trained to say. It’s not about good or bad people. It’s about habit, pressure, and legal exposure. And in that environment, the truth gets lost.
If something didn’t sit right with you, trust that. You were there. And if you’re still thinking about it now, there’s a reason. .
Our team knows how to find the weak points in the narrative. We work directly with medical experts who know what should have happened, not just what was charted. We’ve helped countless families get real answers in cases where the official story didn’t line up. If there’s malpractice buried under paperwork and protocol, we’ll find it
Can a Lawyer Prove the Hospital Hurt My Baby?
How do we know if the injury was malpractice?
You can’t know just by asking the hospital. The only way to find out is to review everything. Prenatal care, labor, delivery, and how your baby was treated after birth. That requires medical knowledge most lawyers don’t have.
We work directly with obstetric and neonatal experts who specialize in pregnancy, delivery, and newborn care. They help us understand what should have happened, and where things went wrong. We understand the full picture, what should happen during a healthy birth, what stressors matter, and when an outcome crosses the line into malpractice.
What makes Buchanan Firm different?
We don’t send your case out for a generic review. We work directly with experts who specialize in pregnancy, labor, and newborn injuries. That means no waiting weeks for answers. If something doesn’t add up, we know how to spot it, and how to act on it.
Speed matters: We can’t change what happened, but if malpractice caused your child’s injury, acting quickly gives you options. The sooner we understand the situation, the sooner you can get clarity, and if compensation is owed, it can help you secure the care and support your child may need.
We’ve handled birth trauma and malpractice cases across Michigan for decades. We know the law, and we know the medicine.
This gives you faster answers, clearer options, and a head start if legal action is the right move. If it’s not, we’ll help you understand why—so you can move forward with confidence either way.
What should I do if I think something went wrong?
Reach out. The sooner we can see the records, the better. Waiting makes it harder to get clear answers, and hospitals don’t always preserve what matters most. We review every case privately. There’s no cost and no pressure.
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What Are the Most Common Causes of Birth Injuries?
It’s normal to ask what went wrong. If your baby was injured or if something doesn’t feel right, this is the question most parents start with: “Did the doctor mess up during delivery?”
Hopefully not but sadly, Birth injuries are more common than most people realize. Out of every 1,000 births in the U.S., about six result in injury or trauma. Some are minor. Others lead to long-term complications like developmental delays or neurological damage.
Childbirth is complex. Things can go wrong even under good care. When an injury occurs, it’s important to understand whether it was the result of unavoidable complications, or something that should have been prevented.
The next section outlines the most common medical causes of birth injuries. Use it as a reference, and a way to frame what you’ve seen, felt, or experienced. It may help you decide whether it’s time to ask deeper questions.
Our team put together a detailed guide on the most common types of birth injuries. What they are, what causes them, and how to recognize the signs. It’s written with clarity, not legalese, and it answers a lot of the questions parents ask us every week.
Can complications during pregnancy lead to birth injuries?
Yes and many parents don’t realize that certain conditions during pregnancy can set the stage for injury long before labor begins. Below are some of the most common risk factors we see when reviewing medical records.
Could an infection during pregnancy cause harm?
Yes. These infections can pass to the baby and cause serious complications if not diagnosed or treated:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Group B Strep (if untreated)
- Rubella
- Toxoplasmosis
- Herpes simplex
What if there were problems with the placenta?
Placental issues can limit oxygen or nutrients to the baby, increasing the risk of injury:
- Placental insufficiency
- Premature aging of the placenta
- Placental abruption (when it detaches from the uterus too soon)
Can the mother’s health affect the baby?
Yes. If left untreated or poorly managed, these conditions can raise the risk of complications:
- High blood pressure
- Preeclampsia or eclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Severe malnutrition
Can medicine or chemicals during pregnancy cause birth injuries?
Yes. Certain prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or environmental toxins can affect how a baby develops. Especially if your doctor didn’t explain the risks or monitor your exposure. These cases can be hard to spot unless someone looks at the full medical record, but they’re more common than most people think.
What about genetics?
Some genetic conditions can’t be prevented, but they should be identified and monitored. If your providers missed signs that something was wrong, or failed to respond to known risks—it may still be considered negligence.
Can problems during labor and delivery cause birth injuries?
Yes. Many serious birth injuries happen during labor. Not because of the condition itself, but because something was missed or delayed at a critical moment.
Can umbilical cord problems cause injury?
Yes. The cord can get compressed, wrapped around the baby, or even cut off oxygen flow completely. These issues—called cord compression, prolapse, or occlusion—can lead to brain damage or other trauma if not caught and handled quickly.
What is fetal distress and why does it matter?
Fetal distress usually means the baby isn’t getting enough oxygen. It shows up in the heart rate, and it’s one of the clearest warning signs that something’s wrong. If doctors miss it, or wait too long to act, the baby can suffer permanent harm.
What happens if the baby gets stuck during delivery?
When a baby is too large or poorly positioned, it can get stuck in the birth canal. This is called shoulder dystocia or obstructed labor. It’s dangerous if not resolved fast, and can lead to nerve damage, brain injury, or even stillbirth in extreme cases.
Can the placenta cause problems during birth?
Yes. If the placenta separates too soon (placental abruption), blocks the cervix (placenta previa), or gets damaged during delivery, it can disrupt the baby’s oxygen and blood supply. These are high-risk situations that require immediate action.
What Medical Mistakes Can Cause Birth Injuries?
Not every birth injury is the result of malpractice. Sometimes, even with the best care, complications happen that no one could have stopped. But in many cases we review, the injury was preventable if someone had acted sooner, noticed warning signs, or followed basic standards of care.
Below are some of the most common errors we see when investigating birth injury cases across Michigan.
Was labor-inducing medication used incorrectly?
Drugs like Pitocin or Cytotec are often used to speed up labor. But if they’re given too fast or in the wrong dose, they can cause intense contractions that put the baby at risk. Misuse of these drugs is a common factor in preventable injuries.
Did they miss something on the fetal monitor?
Fetal heart rate monitors show how well the baby is tolerating labor. If the care team misreads those signals, or ignores signs of distress, it can lead to oxygen loss or brain injury.
Was there too much force during delivery?
Using too much pressure, or the wrong tools, can cause permanent damage. This includes:
- Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors
- Pulling too hard when the baby is stuck
- Delayed or chaotic responses when delivery becomes difficult
Did the nurse or midwife wait too long to call a doctor?
In some cases, a nurse or midwife notices something is wrong, but doesn’t call for help fast enough. If that delay leads to injury, it may count as negligence.
Was there a delay in doing a C-section?
If a baby shows signs of distress and delivery isn’t progressing, the team may need to perform a cesarean section quickly. Delaying that decision can lead to brain injury or worse. Timing is everything in those moments.
Was my baby properly cared for after birth?
Some injuries happen in the delivery room. Others happen in the minutes or hours after. Medical mistakes after birth include:
- Failure to treat low blood sugar, jaundice, or oxygen problems
- Not properly intubating or resuscitating the baby
- Ignoring early seizures or bleeding issues
Can birth injuries show up after the baby is born?
Yes. Some injuries don’t happen during labor, they show up in the hours or days after birth. Many families start asking questions only after something feels off in the newborn period.
Some genetic conditions can’t be prevented, but they should be identified and monitored. If your providers missed signs that something was wrong, or failed to respond to known risks—it may still be considered negligence.
What if my baby was born premature?
Premature babies often face higher medical risks, but some injuries happen because their care wasn’t properly managed. Problems with breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, feeding, or body temperature can get worse fast if the medical team doesn’t respond quickly enough.
Can meconium or fluid in the lungs cause harm?
Yes. If a baby inhales meconium (first stool) or other fluid during delivery, it can block the airway or lead to infection. This is called aspiration, and it needs immediate treatment to prevent lasting damage.
What if my baby had seizures after birth?
Seizures in a newborn can be a sign of brain injury or oxygen loss. If they weren’t recognized or treated right away, that delay can lead to long-term effects. These are red flags we look at carefully during case reviews.
What about hereditary or digestive conditions?
Some babies are born with conditions that affect digestion or metabolism, but those should be detected and monitored. If a known risk was missed, or a clear symptom ignored, that can point to medical negligence.
These kinds of mistakes don’t always look obvious in the moment. Sometimes they’re explained away, or buried in the chart. We work with trusted medical experts to review what happened, what should have happened, and whether the care your baby received met the standard.
If something feels off, and no one’s giving you a clear answer—we’re here to look deeper.
Can a Low Apgar Score Be a Sign of Birth Injury?
Apgar scores are one of the first things measured after birth, but most parents are never told what they mean, or why they matter.
The test is done at 1 minute and 5 minutes after delivery (and sometimes again at 10 minutes). It looks at five key signs:
- Appearance (skin color)
- Pulse (heart rate)
- Grimace (reflex response)
- Activity (muscle tone)
- Respiration (breathing)
Each is scored from 0 to 10. A perfect score is 10. A score below 7, especially if it stays low after a few minutes, can mean the baby needed help breathing or may have suffered oxygen loss.
A low Apgar score doesn’t automatically mean your child will have long-term problems. But it’s a red flag. In many of the cases we review, it was the first sign that something went wrong during labor or delivery, and it was either downplayed or never explained at all.
If you saw a low Apgar score in your records, or were told your baby “just needed a little help breathing” that could be important. We can help review what happened and whether it lines up with proper care.
What Long-Term Conditions Can Be Caused by Birth Injuries?
Some birth injuries resolve on their own. Others don’t. When the trauma is severe, or wasn’t handled correctly, it can lead to life-changing outcomes
Below are some of the most serious medical conditions we see linked to birth injuries. If your child has been diagnosed with one of these, or is showing early signs, it’s worth asking whether it could have been prevented.
- Cerebral Palsy
- Erb’s Palsy
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
- Developmental delays or intellectual disability
- Seizure disorders (epilepsy)
Each is scored from 0 to 10. A perfect score is 10. A score below 7, especially if it stays low after a few minutes, can mean the baby needed help breathing or may have suffered oxygen loss.
A low Apgar score doesn’t automatically mean your child will have long-term problems. But it’s a red flag. In many of the cases we review, it was the first sign that something went wrong during labor or delivery, and it was either downplayed or never explained at all.
If you saw a low Apgar score in your records, or were told your baby “just needed a little help breathing” that could be important. We can help review what happened and whether it lines up with proper care.
A neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. Often linked to oxygen deprivation during birth. It’s permanent, and while symptoms vary, many children require lifelong care.
Damage to the nerves that control the arm and shoulder, often caused by pulling or stretching during delivery. Can result in weakness, loss of movement, or paralysis. .
Brain Injury
Trauma during birth, especially from oxygen loss or delayed intervention, can damage areas of the brain tied to motor skills, cognition, and development.
Spinal Cord and Nerve Injuries
These include cranial nerve damage, laryngeal nerve damage, and injuries to the spine. Effects depend on the severity and location, but they often cause motor and sensory impairments.
Bone Fractures
Broken bones, especially if not treated properly, can impact range of motion and long-term physical development.
Infections and Internal Injuries
Conditions like Group B Strep or intra-abdominal injury during birth can lead to serious complications, especially if not caught and treated early.
Soft Tissue Injuries
These include:
- Bleeding under the scalp (cephalhematoma, subgaleal hematoma)
- Swelling or bruising (caput succedaneum)
- Lacerations or abrasions
- Fat necrosis under the skin
These are sometimes minimized, but in certain cases, they’re signs of excessive force or poor handling during delivery.
If your child has been diagnosed with any of these conditions, and no one’s clearly explained why, we can help review what happened. You deserve to know if it could have been prevented. Tell us what happened.
Could Better Education During Pregnancy Prevent Birth Injuries?
In many of the cases we review, parents were never told what certain interventions meant, or that they had a choice. They weren’t given time to ask questions. They weren’t given real context. And later, when something went wrong, it all got framed as unavoidable.
Being medically informed during pregnancy won’t prevent every injury. But it can help you:
Each is scored from 0 to 10. A perfect score is 10. A score below 7, especially if it stays low after a few minutes, can mean the baby needed help breathing or may have suffered oxygen loss.
A low Apgar score doesn’t automatically mean your child will have long-term problems. But it’s a red flag. In many of the cases we review, it was the first sign that something went wrong during labor or delivery, and it was either downplayed or never explained at all.
- Spot red flags early
- Ask better questions
- Push back when something feels rushed, unnecessary, or unclear
Whether you’re preparing for birth now—or looking back on a situation that didn’t feel right—these are the kinds of terms and decisions that often matter.
What medical terms should parents know before labor?
Labor comes fast. You may not have time to research every term in the moment. Learning the basics ahead of time helps you ask the right questions if complications arise.
Here’s a clear reference guide from the American Pregnancy Association:
Labor and Birth Terms to Know
What is induction—and when is it actually necessary?
Inducing labor means starting it artificially, often with methods like:
- Pitocin
- Membrane stripping
- Cervical ripening
- Breaking the water
There are valid medical reasons for induction. But in some cases, it’s done out of convenience, not need. If induction was rushed, unnecessary, or unexplained, it may have increased the risk of injury.
Was my C-section avoidable—or was it delayed?
A caesarean section can be lifesaving when something goes wrong. But it’s also major surgery—and if done too late, or pushed too soon, it can lead to serious complications.
If you had a C-section and something still went wrong, you’re not overreacting by asking questions. We’ve seen situations where decisions were delayed, or made without full information. It’s worth reviewing.
Can asking more questions actually prevent harm?
Yes, and it’s something we wish more families were encouraged to do. Ask why. Ask what your options are. Ask what happens if you wait.
And if no one gave you that space, or if decisions felt rushed or unclear, you deserve to know if it puts your baby at risk.
When Should I Contact a Michigan Birth Injury Attorney?
If something felt off during labor or delivery—and now your child is injured—it’s worth having it reviewed. You don’t need to be sure. You just need to wonder.
At Buchanan Firm, we don’t pressure you into anything. We listen. We review the records. We bring in medical experts to help us see the full picture. And if your child’s injury was caused by a preventable mistake, we’ll move quickly to protect your rights and fight for the compensation your family may need.
It costs nothing to reach out. But waiting could cost you the chance to act.