
Michigan Birth Trauma & Injury Lawyers
When you welcome a new baby, you expect your medical team to provide the highest standard of care. But when doctors, nurses, or hospitals make preventable mistakes during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, the results can be devastating. At Hoffer & Sheremet, our birth trauma attorneys help families receive compensation for injuries or death to mom and baby caused by hospital or doctor negligence. We know the law and the medicine. And we know family.
Our medical malpractice team will be with you every step of the way, long before you file a birth injury lawsuit. And after you receive your settlement or judgment, Hoffer & Sheremet's network of professionals will make sure that money is available to care for your child in the years to come.
What Is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma refers to injuries sustained by a newborn due to medical errors during labor and delivery. These injuries can range from temporary complications to permanent, life-altering conditions such as cerebral palsy or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
Common birth injuries include:
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Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) – brain injury from oxygen deprivation
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Erb’s Palsy & Brachial Plexus Injuries – nerve damage affecting the arm/shoulder
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Cerebral Palsy – long-term motor and developmental challenges
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Skull & Facial Fractures – often caused by improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction
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Shoulder Dystocia Injuries – nerve or bone injuries from difficult deliveries
What Causes Preventable Birth Injuries?
Not every birth injury is caused by malpractice — but many are. When healthcare providers fail to follow established medical standards, their negligence can cause lifelong harm.
Examples of negligent care include:
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Failure to monitor fetal distress (abnormal heart rate patterns)
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Delayed or missed C-section when the baby is in danger
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Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
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Medication errors during labor
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Failure to diagnose maternal infections or conditions
Your Legal Rights Under Michigan Law
Birth injury cases are complex. Michigan law generally gives families two years from the date of malpractice or until a child’s 10th birthday (whichever is later) to file a claim. However, the sooner you act, the stronger your case.
At Hoffer & Sheremet, we:
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Conduct a thorough medical and legal review of your case
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Work with leading medical experts to determine if malpractice occurred
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Fight for full compensation for medical care, therapies, and your child’s future needs
Compensation For Families
A birth injury can mean lifelong medical costs and challenges. We fight for compensation that may include:
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Past and future medical expenses
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Costs of therapies, assistive devices, and home modifications
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Special needs trusts and financial planning
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Pain and suffering for your child and family
Learn more about Planning for Life After Birth Trauma →
Why Families Choose Hoffer & Sheremet
We are West Michigan's only law firm dedicated exclusively to malpractice law. Our attorneys have years of experience holding hospitals and doctors accountable. As a boutique, specialty law firm, we limit our caseload to give each client the attention they deserve — because your child’s future matters.
More Frequently Asked Questions About Birth Injury Cases
Examples of Areas We Cover
- Cerebral Palsy
- C-Section
- Improper Fetal Monitoring/Fetal Distress
- Umbilical Cord Compression
- Uterine Rupture
- Infections
- Forceps/Vacuum Extraction
- Erb's Palsy
- Shoulder Dystocia
- Pre-Eclampsia/Eclampsia
- Hypoxia
- HIE
- Brain Injury
- Placental Abruption
Recommended Related Articles
- Cerebral Palsy: What to Know From Your Expert Michigan Birth Injury Lawyers
- How Can I Afford the Future Medical Care My Child Needs?
- Understanding Cerebral Palsy: A Guide for Parents Considering Lawsuits
- Understanding Birth Injuries: Common Causes and Legal Recourse
- The Lifelong Impact of Birth Injuries: Navigating the Legal Terrain
- How Does a Birth Injury Affect Later Life?
- What are Infantile Spasms and are They Caused by Birth Injuries?