Planning For Life After Birth Trauma in Six Steps

When parents prepare for the arrival of a baby, they imagine a future filled with love, growth, and milestones. But when a severe birth injury occurs, everything changes in an instant. Families often find themselves thrust into a world of uncertainty — juggling medical care, legal questions, financial strain, and the emotional weight of what could have been (it is normal and okay to mourn the life you hoped your child would have!).

Planning for life after birth trauma isn’t just about dealing with what happened; it’s about creating a roadmap for your child’s future, securing the resources you need, and reclaiming a sense of control.

At Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC, we’ve walked alongside families who’ve been where you are now. This guide can help you understand the key steps in planning for life after a birth injury — from medical care and therapy to legal and financial support.

From our experience helping families, we have put together a Six Step Plan to help you organize your thoughts, minimize feeling overwhelmed, and regain control of your lives.

Understanding Birth Trauma and Its Impact

Birth trauma refers to physical or neurological injuries sustained during labor and delivery, often caused by medical negligence or preventable complications. These injuries can range from relatively minor (like a fractured clavicle) to severe and lifelong (such as cerebral palsy or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy).

Common Types of Birth Injuries

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): Brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow.
Cerebral Palsy: A group of movement disorders often caused by brain injury during birth.
Erb’s Palsy and Brachial Plexus Injuries: Nerve damage leading to weakness or paralysis in the arm.
Skull Fractures and Intracranial Bleeding: Head trauma resulting from difficult deliveries.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Rare but devastating injuries often linked to improper handling during birth.

Each injury comes with unique medical, developmental, and emotional challenges. Understanding your child’s specific diagnosis is the first step in planning for their care and long-term needs.

Step 1: Understand The Diagnoses and Build a Comprehensive Medical Care Plan

Your child may have one diagnosis or multiple. There might be a single diagnosis with multiple complications. Your first step is to understand your child’s medical condition so you will know what your “new normal” is, how to help your child, and what to expect. Learn from reputable sources, the National Institute of Health.

Your child’s well-being depends on a coordinated approach to medical care. Many parents feel they have a new full-time job coordinating care and appointments: speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, neurology, pediatrics, orthopedics, ophthalmology…life may seem like an endless series of appointments. But early intervention can make a significant difference in their development and quality of life.

Immediate and Ongoing Medical Care

Pediatric Specialists: Neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, neonatologists, and other specialists can help diagnose and manage your child’s condition.
Rehabilitation Services: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are often critical in helping children reach their developmental potential.
Assistive Devices and Technology: Children with significant injuries may need wheelchairs, braces, or communication devices.

Creating a Care Team

Don’t try to manage everything alone. Develop a team that includes:

Primary Care Physician: Oversees overall health and coordinates care.
Therapists: Provides developmental support tailored to your child’s needs.
Case Managers or Care Coordinators: Helps navigate complex medical systems and resources.

Step 2: Secure Early Educational Intervention and Services

In Michigan and across the country, children with developmental delays may qualify for Early Intervention (EI) programs, which provide therapies and support at no cost or low cost.

Key Programs to Explore

Early On Michigan: For infants and toddlers under three years old with developmental delays or disabilities.
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): For children three and older, schools are required by law to provide tailored educational services.
Private Therapies: In addition to school-based services, many families opt for supplemental therapy.

Early, consistent intervention can significantly improve your child’s skills and independence.

Step 3: Address the Emotional and Psychological Impact and Build a Support Network

Birth trauma affects more than just your child — it impacts the entire family.

For Parents

Many parents experience grief, guilt, and even symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s essential to seek mental health support:

Individual Therapy: Helps process the trauma and manage anxiety or depression.
Couples Counseling: Supports relationships strained by the stress of caregiving.
Support Groups: Provides connection with other families who understand what you’re going through.

It is normal to grieve the loss of the child you thought you would have. It is normal to feel overwhelmed. It is normal to feel hopeless and helpless. Know that you are not alone.

Isolation can make the challenges of birth trauma even harder. Surround yourself with people who can help you navigate this journey:

Family & Friends: Lean on them for practical and emotional support.
Advocacy Groups: Organizations like United Cerebral Palsy and Cerebral Palsy Foundation offer resources, education, and community.
Faith-Based Communities: For some families, spiritual support is a source of comfort and resilience.

For Siblings

Brothers and sisters of children with special needs may also struggle emotionally. Consider age-appropriate counseling and involve them in care planning to reduce feelings of isolation or resentment.

Step 4: Plan for Financial Stability

Raising a child with special needs can be expensive. The costs of medical care, therapies, adaptive equipment, and home modifications add up quickly. A solid financial plan can help your family manage these challenges.

Options to Consider

Health Insurance & Medicaid: Maximize available benefits, including waivers for children with significant medical needs.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Provides financial assistance to families of children with disabilities.
Special Needs Trusts: Helps protect your child’s eligibility for public benefits while securing funds for their care.
Life Care Planning: Works with experts to project your child’s lifelong needs and associated costs.

If your child’s injury was caused by medical negligence, pursuing a birth injury lawsuit can provide critical financial resources to fund their care. We have a network of professionals, from benefits experts to trust attorneys to probate attorneys that we can connect you with to ensure your child is taken care of for their entire life.

Step 5: Explore Legal Options

When a preventable medical error causes a birth injury, families are entitled to seek compensation. A birth injury settlement or verdict can help cover the cost of care, therapies, and other long-term needs.

Why Legal Action Matters

Financial Relief: Covers medical expenses, lost wages (if one parent must stop working), and future care needs.
Accountability: Holds negligent providers and institutions responsible.
Peace of Mind: Ensures your child’s needs will be met for years to come.

At Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC, we focus on medical malpractice and birth injury cases. We work with top medical experts to investigate what happened and fight for the compensation your family deserves.

Step 6: Create a Long-Term Care Plan

Planning for your child’s future means thinking beyond immediate medical care.

Key Considerations

Guardianship: Decide who will care for your child if you cannot.
Long-Term Housing: Explore options for independent or supported living as your child grows.
Vocational Planning: Help older children prepare for work or meaningful activities that match their abilities.

A long-term care plan ensures continuity of support and security for your child as they transition into adulthood.

Take the First Step

Even though we phrase these as “steps”, you will be working on many of them at the same time. We hope this provides a framework for you to help moving forward more manageable.’

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