Causes of Birth Injury

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When a child is injured during birth, the consequences can last a lifetime. Parents often wonder: How did this happen? Could it have been prevented? At Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC, our birth injury attorneys investigate the root causes of these injuries to determine whether medical negligence played a role. Understanding the causes of birth injury is the first step toward getting answers—and justice—for your child.

What Causes Birth Injuries?

Birth injuries can result from a wide range of factors. Some are unavoidable, but many are caused by medical errors during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or newborn care. Common causes include:

1. Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress

Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) allows providers to assess a baby’s heart rate and detect signs of oxygen deprivation (hypoxia). The Cleveland Clinic provides an overview of EFM. When doctors and nurses fail to recognize or act on these warning signs, a baby may suffer hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, or other permanent brain injuries.

2. Delayed or Improper Response to Labor Complications

Prolonged or obstructed labor, uterine rupture, shoulder dystocia, and other complications require swift medical intervention. A delay in performing an emergency C-section or improper use of labor-inducing drugs (like Pitocin) can cause severe injuries.

3. Misuse of Delivery Tools

Assisted vaginal births (using forceps and vacuum extractors) are sometimes necessary during difficult deliveries. See this American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology article for a deep dive into the pros and cons of assisted vaginal deliveries. However, improper use can lead to skull fractures, intracranial hemorrhages, nerve damage, and other injuries.

4. Improper Medication or Anesthesia

Errors in administering epidurals, general anesthesia, or medications during pregnancy and delivery can harm both mother and baby.

5. Failure to Detect and Treat Maternal Infections

Maternal infections such as Group B Strep (GBS), chorioamnionitis, or preeclampsia must be identified and treated quickly. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommends early detection, treatment and communication with the neonatal team when infection is suspected. Untreated infections can lead to sepsis, meningitis, brain damage, or even death.

6. Failure to Identify High-Risk Pregnancies

Some pregnancies require special care due to maternal conditions (gestational diabetes, hypertension) or fetal concerns (growth restriction, multiple gestations). Failure to diagnose and manage these risks can result in injury.

7. Oxygen Deprivation (Birth Asphyxia)

A lack of oxygen during birth can cause permanent brain injury, including cerebral palsy and developmental delays. This often results from prolonged labor, cord problems, or delays in delivery.

Are All Birth Injuries Preventable?

Not all birth injuries are caused by negligence, but many are. When medical providers fail to meet the standard of care—the level of care a reasonably competent provider would give—they can be held legally responsible for resulting injuries.

How Do We Investigate the Cause?

At Hoffer & Sheremet, we:

Review prenatal, labor, and delivery records to assess whether providers missed warning signs.
Analyze fetal monitoring strips to determine whether intervention was timely.
Consult with medical experts in obstetrics, neonatology, and neuroradiology.
Investigate protocols and procedures at the hospital to identify systemic failures.

This thorough approach allows us to determine whether your child’s injury was caused by negligence and to build a strong case for compensation.

Why Choose Hoffer & Sheremet?

We are one of the few Michigan law firms focused exclusively on medical malpractice, with a proven record of handling complex birth injury cases. We understand both the medical and legal intricacies involved—and we fight relentlessly for families harmed by medical negligence.

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