One type of medical problem that birth injury lawyers see is shoulder dystocia. Shoulder dystocia can be harmful for both mother and baby. It occurs when the infant’s head has been safely delivered, but the shoulder remains lodged behind the pelvic bone. Shoulder dystocia can cause permanent nerve damage and paralysis. Because the cost of caring for a disabled child can be exorbitant, it’s important to consult birth injury lawyers right away. Your malpractice lawyer will review your medical records and determine whether there were red flags that shoulder dystocia was a possibility. If so, your malpractice lawyer may seek to hold the healthcare provider responsible for failing to warn you of the risk of shoulder dystocia and failing to take appropriate action.
One risk factor of shoulder dystocia is a large fetal birth weight, which may indicate the need for a planned C-section. Carrying twins or triplets is another major red flag, as is delayed childbirth past the due date. Maternal obesity, small maternal stature, and maternal pelvic problems are other possible risk factors of shoulder dystocia.
