Does Your Baby Have Shoulder Dystocia?

Let our Boston Medical Malpractice Attorney Help

We have successfully tried numerous medical malpractice cases over the years, ranging from surgical and pharmaceutical errors to birth injuries and cancer misdiagnosis. Our legal training, courtroom expertise and dedication to each of our clients has allowed us to build up a skill set that is accurate enough that, when the times come, we are confident we will get favorable results.

Assisting the Parents of Children Affected by Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia refers to the condition in which a child’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone during delivery, after the head has already been delivered. When the shoulder is stuck, it is often difficult to deliver the rest of the child and it may result in severe birth injuries.

While different obstetricians define shoulder dystocia differently, it is typically measured by a significant lapse in time between when the fetal head is delivered and when the child’s shoulder is delivered. Shoulder dystocia occurs in only about 0.5 to 0.6 percent of deliveries.

If this complication arises during childbirth, it is the responsibility of the physician to react accordingly. If the attending physician maneuvers the baby improperly, certain birth injuries may arise. Such injuries may include the following:

• Brachial plexus injuries, including loss of muscle function, nerve damage and Erb’s palsy
• A fractured clavicle
• Contusions
• Fetal asphyxia, or a limited flow of blood and oxygen that may result in brain damage, cerebral palsy or even death

If your physician has improperly handled your child because of shoulder dystocia, you may need the assistance of a Boston medical malpractice attorney who can help you recover compensation for the injuries your child has sustained.

Recovering Compensation from Negligent Physicians

If your child has suffered from birth injuries because of shoulder dystocia, your physician may be responsible for your child’s condition and you may be able to recover compensation to assist you with raising your child.

Contact a Boston medical malpractice lawyer at Pollack & Flanders, LLP, today to discuss whether you may be able to take legal action against your child’s physician.