What Is the Most Common Birth Injury? Why Clavicle Fractures Are Common One
A birth injury is any physical harm that happens to a baby during labor or delivery. Clavicle fractures — breaks to the collarbone — are the most commonly reported birth injury in the United States. Other injuries, including nerve damage and brain-related conditions, also occur and can have longer-lasting effects. This article explains the most common birth injuries, how they happen, and what parents should generally understand about them from both a medical and legal perspective.
What Birth Injuries Are
A birth injury refers to physical damage that occurs to a newborn during labor, delivery, or shortly after birth. These are different from birth defects, which typically result from genetic factors or conditions that develop during pregnancy.
Birth injuries can range from mild bruising that heals within days to more serious conditions affecting nerves, bones, or the brain. According to research published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, birth injuries affect approximately 6 to 8 out of every 1,000 births in the United States.
Not every birth injury results from a medical error. Some occur even when medical staff follow proper procedures and the delivery is carefully managed.
The Most Common Types of Birth Injuries
Clavicle Fracture (Broken Collarbone)
A broken collarbone is the most common birth-related bone fracture, occurring in roughly 15 out of every 1,000 live births. It most often happens when a baby’s shoulder becomes stuck in the birth canal during delivery, a condition called shoulder dystocia.
Most infants with a fractured clavicle recover quickly with minimal treatment. A firm lump may form on the bone during healing, which is a normal part of the process. Permanent complications from this type of fracture are rare.
Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb’s Palsy)
The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that controls movement in the arm, hand, and shoulder. Brachial plexus injuries occur in 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 live births. They are most often linked to shoulder dystocia, where the baby’s shoulder gets stuck during delivery.
When these nerves are bruised, movement usually returns over time. If the nerves are torn, the damage may be permanent. Some cases require physical therapy or surgery.
Cephalohematoma
Cephalohematoma is a collection of blood between a baby’s skull and the outer layer of bone. It occurs in about 2.5% of vaginal deliveries, and the rate is higher when doctors use forceps or vacuum extractors to assist the birth.
In most cases, the blood reabsorbs on its own over several weeks. However, it can sometimes lead to complications such as jaundice or, less commonly, infection.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurological conditions that affect movement, muscle tone, and coordination. About 1 in every 345 children in the United States has cerebral palsy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CP can result from brain damage that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. Oxygen deprivation during delivery is one known contributing factor. It is a permanent condition, though therapies can help manage symptoms and support development.
Facial Nerve Palsy
Facial nerve palsy occurs when pressure on a baby’s facial nerve during birth causes temporary or lasting loss of muscle movement on one side of the face. The facial nerve is the most commonly injured cranial nerve during difficult deliveries, occurring in roughly 10 out of every 1,000 live births.
When the nerve is bruised rather than torn, the condition typically resolves on its own within a few weeks. Torn nerves may require surgical evaluation.
Perinatal Asphyxia
Perinatal asphyxia refers to a lack of oxygen to the baby before, during, or just after birth. This can lead to brain damage if it is not detected and addressed promptly. It affects an estimated 15% of newborns in some form, though severity varies widely.
Medical teams monitor oxygen levels closely during delivery to detect and respond to asphyxia as quickly as possible.
How These Injuries Occur
Several factors can increase the likelihood of a birth injury. These include a baby who is larger than average, a premature baby with more fragile tissues, or a delivery involving an unusual position such as breech (feet-first). Difficult or prolonged labor, a mismatch between the baby’s head size and the mother’s pelvis, and the use of delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors can also be contributing factors.
Medical staff are trained to recognize and manage these risks. However, delivery can be unpredictable, and injuries may occur even when proper protocols are followed.
Legal Considerations
Birth injuries and legal claims are not automatically connected. A birth injury becomes a potential legal matter when there is reason to believe a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care — meaning they did something, or failed to do something, that a reasonably skilled provider would have done differently under the same circumstances.
In legal terms, this falls under medical malpractice law. To succeed in a birth injury malpractice claim, a person generally must show that a provider owed a duty of care, that duty was breached, and that the breach directly caused the injury and resulting harm.
Laws governing medical malpractice vary by state. Time limits for filing a claim — called statutes of limitations — differ depending on the jurisdiction and the type of injury involved. Anyone with questions about a specific situation should consult a qualified attorney.
Common Misunderstandings
Not every birth injury is the result of negligence. Some injuries occur even during well-managed deliveries. The presence of an injury alone does not establish that anyone did something wrong.
Birth injuries and birth defects are not the same thing. A birth defect develops during pregnancy, often due to genetic or environmental factors. A birth injury occurs during the labor and delivery process.
Many birth injuries are temporary. Minor fractures and nerve bruising often heal with time and basic care. Serious, long-term injuries are less common but do occur and may require ongoing medical support.
What Parents Should Know
If you notice something unusual about your newborn’s movement, muscle tone, or physical appearance, raise your concerns with your baby’s healthcare provider right away. Early evaluation is important for identifying injuries and starting appropriate care.
Keep records of any medical communications, test results, and treatment notes. These records can be important if questions arise later about your child’s care.
If you believe a birth injury may have resulted from a medical error, speaking with a qualified attorney can help you understand your options. An attorney can review the facts of your situation and explain what the law may allow — without any obligation to take legal action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common birth injury? A clavicle (collarbone) fracture is the most commonly reported birth injury in the United States. It occurs in roughly 15 out of every 1,000 live births and most often heals quickly without long-term complications.
How common are birth injuries overall? Birth injuries affect approximately 6 to 8 out of every 1,000 births in the U.S., according to available healthcare data. The rate has declined over recent decades due to improvements in obstetric care.
What is cerebral palsy? Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological conditions that affect movement and muscle coordination. It can result from brain damage that occurs before, during, or after birth. About 1 in 345 children in the U.S. has cerebral palsy, according to the CDC. It is a permanent condition, but it is not progressive and does not worsen over time.
Can birth injuries be prevented? Some birth injuries can be reduced through careful monitoring and timely medical decisions. Others occur despite proper care. Not all birth injuries are preventable.
What should I do if I suspect my baby has a birth injury? Contact your child’s healthcare provider promptly. Early medical evaluation is the most important first step. If you have concerns about the care your child received, you may also want to consult a qualified attorney to understand your legal rights.
What is Erb’s palsy? Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury that affects the nerves controlling the arm and shoulder. It often results from the baby’s shoulder becoming stuck during delivery. Mild cases may resolve on their own; more severe cases may require therapy or surgery.
Do I need a lawyer if my child had a birth injury? Consulting a lawyer is a personal decision. An attorney who handles medical malpractice cases can review the facts of your specific situation and explain whether the circumstances may give rise to a legal claim. There is generally no obligation attached to an initial consultation.
What is the difference between a birth injury and a birth defect? A birth injury occurs during labor or delivery as a result of physical trauma or complications. A birth defect is a condition that develops during pregnancy, typically due to genetic, environmental, or unknown factors. The two terms describe different situations.
Last Updated: February 17, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and legal procedures vary by jurisdiction and may change over time. For advice regarding a specific situation, consult a qualified attorney or the appropriate authority.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a former civil litigation attorney with over a decade of experience in contract disputes, small claims, and neighbor conflicts. At All About Lawyer, she writes clear, practical guides to help people understand their civil legal rights and confidently handle everyday legal issues.
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