Michigan Birth Injury Lawyer

Fact-Checked and Medically Reviewed by:
Katie Lavender, RN Registered Nurse
Quick Answer

When a nurse, doctor, or other health care professional’s medical negligence leads to a preventable birth injury, the child’s family may be able to file a birth injury lawsuit. Find out if you can work with a Michigan birth injury lawyer to pursue compensation for the costs of your child’s treatment.

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Working With a Michigan Birth Injury Lawyer

Detroit, MichiganA Michigan birth injury lawyer is a type of personal injury attorney who handles cases involving newborns harmed by medical malpractice.

An unexpected injury can lead to medical bills that quickly pile up, but a skilled lawyer can fight on behalf of the family to recover compensation for their child’s treatment expenses.

A Michigan birth injury lawyer can take much of the stress out of the legal process by collecting evidence, filing a birth injury lawsuit on your behalf, and building the strongest case possible.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the family of a child with cerebral palsy will spend about $1 million on treatment costs throughout the child’s life.

The lawyers with our partner birth injury law firm have recovered over $962 million for families nationwide, including those in Michigan — and they’re ready to help yours too.

Our partner law firm can work with Michigan families in:

  • Ann Arbor City
  • Canton
  • Clinton Charter Township
  • Dearborn
  • Detroit
  • Grand Rapids
  • Lansing
  • Livonia
  • Macomb
  • Southfield
  • Sterling Heights
  • Troy
  • Warren
  • Westland
  • Other Michigan cities

If you believe your child suffered a preventable birth injury because of a health care professional’s medical negligence, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Talk to one of our nurses to learn what steps you can take.

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Birth Injuries and Medical Negligence

All health care professionals who are responsible for delivering babies complete years of training to minimize risk of harm during the birthing process. One medical error can lead to serious injuries, which is why these professionals are held to such a high standard of care.

Unfortunately, medical professionals sometimes fail to meet this standard of care. When a health care provider like a doctor or nurse makes a mistake that harms a child, they may be held accountable with a birth injury lawsuit.

Medical staff may be guilty of medical negligence if they:

  • Don’t perform a C-section (cesarean section) promptly
  • Fail to detect or treat signs of fetal distress, like drops in heart rate
  • Fail to detect or treat signs of oxygen deprivation (hypoxia)
  • Improperly use assistive delivery tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors
  • Use excessive force when guiding the child’s head, neck, arm, or shoulders out of the birth canal

If you believe medical negligence played a role in your child’s birth injury, you may be able to work with a Michigan birth injury lawyer to pursue financial compensation.

Types of Cases Michigan Birth Injury Attorneys Handle

Michigan birth injury attorneys represent families of children who have suffered birth injuries because of medical malpractice.

A Michigan birth injury lawyer can handle medical malpractice cases involving:

If your child suffered a preventable injury because of medical malpractice, you may be eligible for compensation. Call us today at (800) 914-1562 for more information.

Notable Birth Injury Settlements and Verdicts in Michigan

Most birth injury cases end in a settlement, which means there’s no need for a trial. In a birth injury settlement, the doctor, nurse, and/or hospital (defendants) agree to pay the family of the injured child (plaintiffs) a lump sum of money.

This compensation can help cover medical expenses like physical therapy, adaptive equipment, medication, and more. Settlement amounts vary based on several factors, but in many cases, families have received millions of dollars.

Some notable Michigan birth injury verdicts and settlements include:

  • $12.9 million verdict

    for a child with a brachial plexus injury


  • $5.6 million settlement

    for a child with cerebral palsy


  • $4 million settlement

    for a child with cerebral palsy


  • $3.5 million settlement

    for a child with cerebral palsy


  • $670,000 settlement

    for a child with cerebral palsy

If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, your Michigan birth injury attorney will represent you in court, where a judge or jury will determine if the defendants committed medical malpractice. If the defendants are found guilty, they will be ordered to pay you a sum of money as a trial verdict.

Request a free consultation with a Michigan birth injury lawyer to find out how much money (if any) you may recover through a settlement or trial verdict.

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When to File a Birth Injury Lawsuit in Michigan

Birth injuries can lead to lifelong health complications, disability, and even death. Unfortunately, families only have a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit before they lose their right to do so forever. This deadline is called the statute of limitations, and it varies by state.

If you suspect that medical negligence caused your child to suffer a preventable birth injury, you should connect with a Michigan birth injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that you file a lawsuit before the deadline.

  • 2 Years

    MI Statute of Limitations for Birth Injuries

  • 3 Years

    MI Statute of Limitations for Infant Wrongful Death

A Michigan birth injury attorney can help you determine if you’re eligible to file a medical malpractice claim before the statute of limitations expires. You can contact an attorney even if your child hasn’t yet been formally diagnosed with a birth injury.

Connect With a Michigan Birth Injury Lawyer

Mistakes during childbirth can cause long-term health conditions that impact the child’s quality of life and result in expensive medical bills for the family. Health care providers should take responsibility for their mistakes, and a birth injury lawsuit is one way of holding them accountable.

Although nothing can undo a birth injury, a Michigan birth injury lawyer may be able to recover compensation for your child’s medical treatment.

Get a free case review today to find out if you can file a birth injury lawsuit in Michigan.

Michigan Birth Injury Lawyer FAQs

What is the statute of limitations on birth injury claims in Michigan?

The statute of limitations for birth injury claims in Michigan is 2 years, and the statute of limitations for infant wrongful death claims is 3 years. If you don’t file a claim before the deadline, you will no longer be able to file a lawsuit.

The best way to ensure that you file a claim before the statute of limitations expires is to connect with a Michigan birth injury attorney as soon as you suspect that your child’s injury was preventable.

Call us today at (800) 914-1562 to see if a Michigan birth injury lawyer can help your family.

How much do Michigan birth injury lawyers cost?

Top Michigan birth injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means there are no upfront costs to work with them, and if they don’t win your case, you pay nothing.

If your attorney does reach a settlement or win a trial verdict on your behalf, the fee will come as a percentage of the lawsuit compensation — not out of your pocket.

How do I know if my child’s birth injury was caused by medical negligence?

Birth injuries aren’t always obvious right away, and it can be hard to identify if medical negligence played a role. Thankfully, a Michigan birth injury lawyer can help determine the cause of the injury and tell you if you are eligible for compensation.

Get a free case evaluation to learn whether you are able to file a medical negligence lawsuit for your child’s birth injury.

Birth Injury Support Team
Reviewed by:Katie Lavender, RN

Registered Nurse

  • Fact-Checked
  • Editor

Katie Lavender has over 8 years of experience as a Registered Nurse in postpartum mother/baby care. With hands-on experience in Labor and Delivery and a role as a Community Educator for newborn care, Katie is a staunch advocate for patient rights and education. As a Medical Reviewer, she is committed to ensuring accurate and trustworthy patient information.

The Birth Injury Justice Center was founded in 2003 by a team of legal professionals to educate and empower victims and families affected by birth injuries. Our team is devoted to providing you with the best resources and legal information for all types of birth injuries.

View Sources
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 2). Data and statistics for cerebral palsy. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/ncbddd/cp/data.html
  2. Ranum, D. (2019, March 20). Study of malpractice claims involving children. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.thedoctors.com/articles/study-of-malpractice-claims-involving-children/
  3. Ridley, G. (2013, October 5). Genesee County Jury awards nearly $13 million verdict in birth trauma lawsuit against Genesys. MLive. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2013/10/jury_awards_nearly_13_million.html
  4. Section 600.5805. Michigan Legislature. (n.d.). Retrieved June 29, 2024, from http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-600-5805