Any child who becomes injured during the birth process may be entitled to compensation for the consequences which may result, which may include physical and mental disability, or other ongoing health problems. The most common types of birth injuries are brain injuries such as cerebral palsy and brachial plexus. A birth injury lawsuit usually begins with a "discovery" element, the lawyers of the injured party and the hospital will collect information on each other. This will usually involve an independent medical examination of the child who will assess the likely cause of the birth injuries. A deposition may also be conducted, in which both parties have to answer questions posed by their opposition's lawyer. It is usually during these initial stages that a settlement is offered, but sometimes the birth injury lawsuit will go to trial. A settlement should compensate for medical, rehabilitation and care costs, loss of future earnings, pain and suffering, and often punitive damages. Damages awarded are usually high in birth injury lawsuits to compensate for a lifetime of expenses for the child.