The birth of a baby should be a time of celebration for a family.. In most cases, deliveries proceed smoothly or with minor complications that can be easily resolved. However, in some rare cases, complications like shoulder dystocia, when the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck during delivery, can occur and cause serious, life-altering injuries. Unfortunately, sometimes these birth injuries are a result of negligence from a doctor or healthcare professional.
At Friedman Schuman Layser, we understand that new parents should be focused on their child’s health and well-being, not navigating insurance claims and legal disputes. If you need a Fort Washington shoulder dystocia lawyer to help you get compensation for your infant’s birth injury, our experienced team brings over 40 years of knowledge to these matters. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a compassionate birth injury attorney from our team.
Shoulder dystocia is a rare medical emergency that occurs when an infant’s shoulders are too wide for the birth canal, causing the baby’s head to deliver normally, but the shoulders to become lodged in the mother’s pelvis. This type of emergency is often unpredictable at the moment of birth and requires a type of manual maneuver known as “the McRoberts maneuver” to free the baby’s shoulders. Once the head has been delivered, a C-section is no longer an option.
If immediate action is not taken, babies in this position can suffer from brachial plexus injuries, Erb’s palsy, fractures of the collarbone and upper arm, and possible brain damage due to lack of oxygen. Furthermore, mothers can suffer from a fractured pelvis and damage to the uterus and birth canal. If a doctor’s misconduct led to your child’s shoulder dystocia injury, a Fort Washington attorney from our team can help you seek justice.
By itself, shoulder dystocia is not diagnosable. However, doctors should be aware of possible risk factors that could make the condition likely, and advise parents before the infant’s birth. Common pre-birth conditions that make shoulder dystocia likely include:
During the delivery itself, forceful use of forceps or vacuum delivery devices may contribute to fetal positioning issues that result in shoulder dystocia. Doctors should be aware of these conditions and advise high-risk parents to consider a C-section if they believe there is a chance of a risky delivery. They should also advise parents that once the child’s head is delivered, a C-section is no longer possible, giving parents time to make an informed decision about surgery.
The state of Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims, meaning parents have only two years from the date of the child’s birth to file a negligence case against the doctor. If your child has suffered shoulder dystocia, speak to an attorney in Fort Washington as soon as possible.
At Friedman Schuman Layser, we know that the time after your child’s birth is overwhelming, even when things go well. If your infant has suffered a serious birth injury due to a doctor’s negligence, our attorneys are here to help you get the compensation you and your baby may need.
We handle cases in Fort Washington and throughout Pennsylvania. Contact us today to receive comprehensive legal advice from a Fort Washington shoulder dystocia lawyer.
