Shoulder dystocia is a common but often preventable birth injury. If your child sustained shoulder dystocia during labor and delivery, you should assess what legal options are available to your family by consulting with a knowledgeable birth injury attorney.
Healthcare providers must meet the legal standard of care, or they can be held financially accountable for negligence. A Stamford shoulder dystocia lawyer at Berkowitz Hanna can probe the facts and circumstances of your child’s birth injury to determine whether you may be entitled to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Shoulder dystocia refers to an injury that happens when a child becomes stuck in the birth canal during labor and delivery. Physicians, nurses, and other staff on the delivery team must act quickly, or the newborn could suffer brain and nerve damage.
Certain risk factors can elevate the likelihood of shoulder dystocia, including the size of the child, the duration of labor, and maternal gestational diabetes. If the baby is not in the best position for delivery or pitocin is used during labor and delivery, the medical team should also be additionally vigilant for the risk of shoulder dystocia.
Infant shoulder dystocia injuries can include bone fractures, asphyxia due to oxygen deprivation during delivery, cerebral palsy, damage to the brachial plexus nerves, and fetal hemorrhages. The mother may also suffer severe injuries, including lacerations, contusions, and ruptures. When a shoulder dystocia injury involves suspected medical negligence, it is vital to speak with an experienced Stamford attorney at Berkowitz Hanna as soon as possible who could assist in filing a malpractice lawsuit.
If a healthcare provider neglects to address, respond to, or anticipate shoulder dystocia when a reasonable physician in the same field would have, they may be liable for medical malpractice. Possible instances of medical negligence leading to shoulder dystocia injuries can include excessive force during labor and delivery, such as the use of forceps or vacuum extractors, and failure to recognize the warning signs of shoulder dystocia.
Failure to respond to signs of fetal distress or any other failure to provide an acceptable standard of care may also provide grounds to file a shoulder dystocia malpractice claim. The costs related to treating complications and injuries arising from shoulder dystocia can add up quickly. A Stamford attorney at Berkowitz Hanna can oversee a shoulder dystocia lawsuit that pursues compensation for all damages incurred because of a negligent medical professional.
These could include damages for past and future medical expenses, emotional anguish, mental distress, pain, and suffering. If the child’s shoulder dystocia injury will impact their future earning ability or quality of life, these are also damages that can be factored into a negotiated settlement or court award.
While certain risk factors prior to as well as during delivery can elevate the likelihood of shoulder dystocia and related injuries, physicians must take immediate action to minimize potential complications. If you believe that your child’s shoulder dystocia stemmed from medical negligence, the best thing to do is speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
A Stamford shoulder dystocia lawyer can thoroughly examine the details of your potential claim to determine whether the injury was related to a preventable medical error. Call Berkowitz Hanna today to speak with an attorney about your potential claim in a confidential legal consultation.
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