Shoulder Dystocia

A fact about shoulder dystocia/brachial plexus

The overall incidence of shoulder dystocia varies …[from] 0.6 to 1.4 percent of all infants with a birth weight of 2,500 g (5 lb, 8 oz) to 4,000 g (8 lb, 13 oz).
—American Family Physician, April 1, 2004

Most cases of brachial plexus injury are the result of physician error. At The Lawrence Firm, PSC, our attorneys help parents whose baby suffered as a result of mismanaged shoulder dystocia during birth. We use our experience and our considerable resources to obtain compensation for parents and their children.

What is shoulder dystocia?

Shoulder dystocia is the phrase that describes a situation during birth when the baby’s shoulders fail to follow the baby’s head through the birth canal. The result, if proper action is not taken, can be damaging to the mother and disabling to the baby. If your infant has experienced an injury such as brachial plexus injury because of mismanagement of shoulder dystocia, it is important to speak with an attorney to learn about your legal rights.

Contact The Lawrence Firm in Covington, Kentucky, or Cincinnati, Ohio, to learn about shoulder dystocia and the injuries it can cause. Call us at 1-800-698-4054.

Consequences of mismanaged shoulder dystocia

Babies and mothers alike can experience potentially serious injuries because of physician and nursing negligence in response to shoulder dystocia. Women can suffer hemorrhage, uterine rupture and lacerations. The most common complication for infants is brachial plexus palsy such as Erb’s palsy, and other conditions arising from nerve damage. Other problems include broken bones and brain damage.

What should a doctor do?

There are standard techniques for managing shoulder dystocia during birth. The doctor can reposition the mother or maneuver the baby — this is the usual approach. More drastic techniques, such as breaking the mother’s pelvis or an emergency C-section, can resolve a difficult case of shoulder dystocia.

How do injuries occur?

Injuries related to shoulder dystocia occur when the physician tries to pull the baby out without attempting the standard obstetric maneuvers that have been shown to work. This stretches and breaks the nerves in the neck and shoulder, resulting in palsies, broken bones and other injuries. Babies often need orthopedic surgery in the first months of life to correct problems caused by poor management of shoulder dystocia.

If your baby’s injuries were the result of mismanagement of shoulder dystocia, contact an experienced lawyer to discuss filing a claim. Call The Lawrence Firm to learn about your options.