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Shoulder Dystocia Attorneys New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia
Shoulder dystocia is a rare yet serious birth complication that occurs when one, or less frequently both, shoulder(s) of the baby becomes stuck behind the opening of the birth canal or the mother's pubic bone. This birth injury puts both the baby and the mother at an increased risk. Though shoulder dystocia often manifests for natural reasons, it can also occur as the result of medical malpractice by a negligent health care provider. If medical negligence played a role in your child's birth injury, you may be able to obtain compensation for the cost of immediate and future medical care and ongoing physical therapy, as well as pain and suffering.
With offices in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the birth injury attorneys at Locks Law Firm have handled many of these complicated claims. We have helped many parents prove medical negligence and have obtained significant verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients throughout the tri-state area. If your child has suffered shoulder dystocia or another birth injury, contact our attorneys today.
What is shoulder dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia is a medical term for when, during childbirth, a baby's shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pelvic bone or in the birth canal. It is an obstetric emergency, requiring quick and careful action by the delivery team to avoid serious complications.
In many cases, shoulder dystocia just requires some additional maneuvers by the medical team attending the birth. However, when shoulder dystocia is not treated properly or with its due urgency, life-changing consequences may result. Common birth injuries that may result from shoulder dystocia include:
Brachial Plexus
Brachial plexus injuries (including Erb's Palsy and Klumpke's Palsy) affect the bundle of nerves which controls the muscles of the shoulder, arm, and hand. As a result of a brachial plexus injury, all or some of the muscles in the shoulder and arm may suffer paralysis.
There are specific maneuvers that must be followed during a shoulder dystocia childbirth to avoid serious birth injury. When a doctor or other medical professional fails to follow these maneuvers and excessive pressure is placed on the baby's head or neck, the nerves may tear. In these instances, the physician may have committed malpractice.
Fetal Asphyxia
Fetal asphyxia refers to the deprivation of oxygen to a fetus as the result of interference to its blood supply. This dangerous event may occur if the fetus becomes stuck. If asphyxia persists for even a short period of time, serious brain damage may result.
Asphyxia may occur during a childbirth in which shoulder dystocia takes place if the delivery team does not deliver the child fast enough. If it is clear before a woman goes into labor that the baby is too big or the mother's pelvis too small to safely deliver, a cesarean section should be advised. If a physician's negligence has caused your child to suffer fetal asphyxia, contact us today.
Note: Fetal asphyxia may also be caused by the compression of the umbilical cord during childbirth. Failure to recognize this or other forms of fetal distress can also be considered medical malpractice. Our Cherry Hill, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-area birth injury attorneys can help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
Fractured Clavicle or Humerus
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 10 percent of births involving shoulder dystocia result in a fractured clavicle or humerus. Typically, fractured bones during birth are temporary injuries and pose no threat to the long-term health and well-being of the child. However, nerve damage may occur.
Contact our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cherry Hill, New Jersey birth injury attorneys if your child has suffered a serious injury as the result of medical negligence. Serving individuals throughout the tri-state area, we have helped many clients obtain compensation for medical and rehabilitation costs as well as pain and suffering.
Maternal Injuries
During shoulder dystocia births, the mother is also at risk for serious injury. The most common, and serious, complication is excessive blood loss. If you have suffered injuries because of a shoulder dystocia birth, you may be eligible for financial compensation relating to your injuries. The birth injury attorneys at Locks Law can review your claim free of charge and explain your legal options.
Contact Our Birth Injury Attorneys
If your child has suffered a serious injury or a permanent disability because of a shoulder dystocia related injury, you and your family may be eligible for financial compensation for hospital bills, future medical costs, and pain and suffering. To schedule a free consultation, contact the Locks Law Firm. Our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cherry Hill, New Jersey birth injury attorneys can help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
If your child suffers from shoulder dystocia, contact one of our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cherry Hill, New Jersey birth injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.
