How Do I Know If My Baby Has Birth Injuries?

 Posted on May 07, 2025 in Birth Injury

Sometimes, doctors can spot birth injuries right after a baby is born. However, some do not reveal themselves immediately. It may take months or years for some symptoms to appear. By that time, you may not associate your child’s issues with a birth injury. Cerebral palsy and brachial plexus injuries are among the most common birth injuries, and it is important for parents to know the signs to watch for.

If you do not discover your child’s birth injuries for years, you may wonder if you can still file a medical malpractice claim seeking compensation. In most instances, you can. The best way to verify your eligibility is to call our office to speak with one of our knowledgeable Chicago, IL birth injuries lawyers.

How Do Doctors Test for Birth Injuries When a Baby Is Born?

Physicians may use a variety of tests to check a baby’s condition soon after delivery. The Apgar test evaluates breathing, skin color, reflexes, pulse, and muscle tone. A score of 7-10 is considered normal. The Apgar test is usually performed at one minute and five minutes after the baby is born. This fast evaluation can indicate if there are issues with the newborn’s health.

Doctors also typically analyze the umbilical cord, checking the carbon dioxide levels found in the baby’s blood. This blood gas test can determine whether the baby was deprived of oxygen. Brain damage can be detected through CT or MRI scans, but these tests are not normally ordered unless the infant is exhibiting symptoms.

What Signs Could Signal Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy can be mild or severe. This type of brain damage is often caused by oxygen deprivation during labor and delivery. Signs to watch for include:

• Trouble latching, feeding, or swallowing
• Poor head control
• Balance or coordination problems
• Unusual posture, such as favoring one side of the body
• Muscle spasms and floppy or stiff muscles

Symptoms may not appear immediately. For example, delays in speech, sitting, crawling, or walking will not be evident until the expected developmental milestone timeframe has passed.

How Do I Know If My Baby Has Brachial Plexus Injuries?

The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves located in the neck that controls the hands, arms, and shoulders. If these nerves are stretched or torn during delivery, the child can suffer from long-term conditions, like Erb’s Palsy.

Signs that could indicate a brachial plexus injury include a lack of movement in a hand or shoulder, poor grip in one hand, a limp arm, and weakness in one arm. Surgery or therapy may help, but some children with these injuries have permanent disabilities.

What Should I Do If I Notice These Birth Injury Signs and Symptoms?

Take your child to a doctor right away. Mention your concerns about your child’s condition being the result of a birth injury. Document the symptoms you see and what the doctor says about them. Call our office to schedule your free consultation. We can advise you with case-specific information.

If your child did suffer a birth injury due to medical negligence, you could obtain compensation for medical treatments, adaptive equipment, pain and suffering, and other applicable damages. We always seek the highest amount of compensation available.

The statute of limitations for most medical malpractice claims is two years from the date the injury was discovered or should have been discovered, with a stipulation that a lawsuit must be filed within four years of the alleged malpractice. However, since birth injuries happen to minors, the filing deadline is extended. That does not mean you should wait. The more time passes, the more challenging it can be to locate evidence to support your claim.

Call Our Skilled Chicago, IL Cerebral Palsy Lawyers

If medical negligence harmed your child, you deserve compensation. Call Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. at 312-462-4200 or contact us online now to discuss your case with our dedicated Cook County, IL birth injuries attorneys.