When Your Infant Struggles to Meet Developmental Milestones
Every parent anticipates the day their baby starts reaching, grasping, crawling, and exploring the world with their body. But when those motor skills don’t emerge as expected—or appear in unusual or concerning ways—it’s natural to feel a rising sense of worry. At Van Wey & Metzler, we understand how terrifying it is to watch your child struggle to meet basic developmental milestones. And we also know that sometimes, what seems like a delay is actually a symptom of a deeper injury—one that may have been preventable.
If your infant is exhibiting atypical or uneven motor skills, especially in the first months of life, it may be time to ask: Was something missed or mishandled during labor or delivery?
What Are Unusual Motor Skills in Infants?
The term “unusual motor skills” refers to physical movements or behaviors that don’t align with typical neurological or muscular development. These may include:
Reaching with only one hand while the other remains clenched or limp
Persistent fisting beyond three months of age
Poor head control or difficulty lifting the head when lying on the stomach
Jerky, uncoordinated limb movements
Lack of reciprocal leg movement (for example, during kicking or crawling)
Tremors or spastic, repetitive motions
Sometimes, these signs are subtle. A baby might arch their back excessively when picked up. Or they might use one side of their body much more than the other. While all infants develop at their own pace, consistent asymmetry or abnormal muscle tone may indicate underlying damage to the brain or nerves.
When “Just Wait and See” Isn’t Good Enough
Too often, concerned parents are told not to worry. “Give it time,” they hear. “Every baby is different.” And while it’s true that development isn’t always linear, delayed or unusual motor development should never be brushed off without a thorough medical evaluation.
Some of the most common neurological causes of motor dysfunction include:
Cerebral Palsy – a permanent movement disorder caused by brain injury or malformation
Brachial Plexus Injuries – often resulting from shoulder dystocia during delivery
HIE (Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy) – brain injury caused by lack of oxygen or blood flow during birth
Spinal Cord Injuries – sometimes due to forceful extraction or improper use of instruments
At Van Wey & Metzler, we dig deeper. We work with pediatric neurologists, radiologists, and other experts to investigate whether your child’s motor challenges stem from a preventable event during delivery.
What Medical Mistakes Can Lead to These Outcomes?
Most labor and deliveries proceed without incident. But when medical professionals fail to meet the standard of care, serious injuries can occur. Some of the most common mistakes we’ve seen that result in unusual motor function include:
Failing to monitor fetal distress, which can deprive the brain of oxygen
Delaying a necessary C-section, especially in cases of prolonged labor or breech presentation
Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors, causing trauma to the brain or nerves
Improper handling in the NICU, including missed diagnoses or insufficient response to low oxygen saturation
When the healthcare system breaks down—when protocols are ignored or urgency is lost—families pay the price. And often, the consequences don’t fully emerge until months later, when a baby falls behind developmentally.
The Cost of a Missed Injury
Therapies, evaluations, medical devices, and specialized childcare become part of everyday life for families of children with motor disabilities. Over time, the emotional toll is compounded by the financial weight of ongoing care.
Through a successful medical malpractice claim, families may be entitled to compensation for:
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Medical equipment and home modifications
Lost income due to caregiving responsibilities
Emotional distress and pain and suffering
Long-term care and educational accommodations
Our goal is to ensure that you never have to choose between what your child needs and what you can afford.
A Law Firm That Stands With You
We do more than file lawsuits. We uncover truths. We push for accountability. We stand with families in Houston and throughout Texas who have been let down by the very system they trusted.
At Van Wey & Metzler, our team has built a reputation for tackling the toughest birth injury cases—and for doing so with compassion, precision, and purpose. We don’t settle for less than what your child needs to thrive.
If your baby is showing signs of abnormal or unusual motor development, don’t wait for answers that may never come. Reach out to us for a free consultation. We’ll listen. We’ll investigate. And if negligence played a role in your child’s injury, we’ll fight for justice—every step of the way.
