The Most Common Types of Preventable Birth Injuries
Written by Jay M. Kelley III in Medical Malpractice on May 21, 2026
Why Medical Errors Occur During Labor
Birth injuries frequently stem from a failure to detect, prevent, or treat known complications during the labor and delivery process.
Medical teams are trained to anticipate issues such as umbilical cord complications, chorioamnionitis, or issues related to the size of the baby compared to the birth canal.
When these issues arise, doctors and nurses have specific, evidence-based protocols to manage the risks and keep both mother and baby safe. When these protocols are ignored or executed poorly, the results can be catastrophic.
Not All Birth Injuries Are Unavoidable
It is a common misconception that all birth injuries are unavoidable acts of fate.
While some medical complications are truly unpredictable, a significant number of injuries are the direct result of mistakes made by the medical staff. Recognizing these injuries is the first step toward understanding how they happened and ensuring they are addressed.
The Critical Nature of Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring
Electronic fetal monitoring is one of the most important tools in a delivery room. It tracks the baby’s heart rate and the mother’s contractions. Changes in the heart rate can signal that the baby is not getting enough oxygen.
If the medical team is distracted or fails to interpret these signals correctly, they may miss the window of opportunity to intervene.
Failure to react to a non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern is a leading cause of preventable birth injuries.
Cerebral Palsy and Oxygen Deprivation
Cerebral palsy often stems from brain damage occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. When a baby is deprived of oxygen for too long during a difficult labor, the brain can suffer permanent damage.
Possible long-term effects
Children with cerebral palsy may experience:
- Difficulty with movement
- Muscle stiffness or weakness
- Problems with coordination
- Lifelong physical limitations
How medical negligence may contribute
If the medical team fails to identify signs of fetal distress and does not move to an emergency C-section quickly enough, the baby may suffer from lifelong neurological deficits.
Brachial Plexus Injuries and Shoulder Dystocia
Brachial plexus injuries occur when the nerves that control the arms and hands are damaged during delivery. It is often linked to shoulder dystocia, a condition where the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone.
Possible long term effects
These injuries can result in:
- Weakness in the arm
- Loss of movement
- Partial paralysis
- Permanent nerve damage
How medical negligence may contribute
If a doctor uses excessive force to pull the baby out rather than using accepted repositioning techniques, the delicate nerves in the baby’s neck and shoulder can be torn or permanently damaged.
This injury, sometimes called Erb’s palsy, can result in partial or total paralysis of the arm. It requires physical therapy, occupational therapy, and potentially multiple surgeries to correct.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE is a severe brain injury caused by a significant lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain. It is perhaps the most devastating injury a newborn can suffer.
It often occurs when:
- The umbilical cord becomes compressed
- The placenta fails to function properly
- Fetal distress is not recognized in time
Possible long term effects
If the medical team misses the signs of this distress, the baby may suffer from HIE, which can lead to:
- Seizures
- Developmental delays
- Lifelong disabilities
Why timing matters
HIE is a time-sensitive injury. The faster the medical team identifies the problem and restores oxygen flow, the better the outcome for the child.
Every minute counts.
Skull Fractures and Intracranial Hemorrhage
These injuries are frequently caused by the improper use of mechanical tools like forceps or vacuum extractors.
Possible long term effects
These injuries can lead to:
- Seizures
- Developmental delays
- Brain bleeding
- Neurological complications
Using these tools requires significant skill and should only be done when absolutely necessary.
How medical negligence may contribute
Forceps and vacuum extractors are designed to assist in delivery, but they require a high degree of precision and care.
If the doctor places them incorrectly or pulls with too much force, they can fracture the infant’s skull or cause bleeding inside the brain.
The Importance of Diagnostic Accuracy
Medical negligence often occurs during the prenatal phase as well.
If a doctor fails to diagnose a serious condition in the mother, such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, it can create a high-risk pregnancy that the hospital is unprepared to handle.
If a doctor fails to identify that a baby is too large for a vaginal delivery, it can lead to complications that could have been avoided with a planned C-section.
Each stage of the pregnancy and birth process carries risks, and the medical team is responsible for managing those risks with diligence and professional competence.
The Long Term Impact on Families
If your child has been diagnosed with a condition linked to these types of trauma, you are likely facing significant long-term costs.
Successful legal claims in Ohio are not about assigning blame for the sake of it. They are about securing the financial resources required for a lifetime of medical care, physical therapy, assistive equipment, and educational support.
Your child has a long life ahead, and they deserve the best care possible to manage their injuries.
Taking the Next Step
Understanding the nature of these injuries is a critical first step, but securing your family’s future requires a different approach. Once you have identified the potential medical failures, the next hurdle is navigating the financial and legal landscape to ensure your child has the resources they need for the rest of their life.
We have prepared a final guide to help you understand how legal claims are built, the importance of life care planning, and the steps to protect your child’s legal rights.
Read our next guide: Navigating the Financial and Legal Realities of Birth Injury Claims.
Speak With Our Team
If you are ready to speak with someone about your specific situation, please do not hesitate to contact us. We know that the prospect of a legal claim can feel overwhelming when you are also focused on your child’s daily care.
Our team is here to manage the legal burden so you can focus on being a parent. You can reach out to us at 1 (800) ELK-OHIO or complete our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
We are dedicated to providing the answers and support your family deserves.
Jay M. Kelley III - Managing Partner
Meet Jay M. Kelley III, a top medical malpractice and catastrophic personal injury attorney in Ohio with over 30 years of experience and a proven track record of securing millions in verdicts and settlements. He leads Elk + Elk’s comprehensive litigation strategy across state, federal, and appellate courts, drawing on a unique background as a former felony prosecutor and hospital defense lawyer. Jay focuses on high-stakes, complex cases, including birth injuries and wrongful death, and is widely recognized by Best Lawyers and ranked among the Super Lawyers Top 10 in Ohio.
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