If your doctor or nurse (or another provider) did not properly address shoulder dystocia during delivery and your newborn was injured, you could seek compensation through a birth injury lawsuit. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s birth injury attorneys have been helping injury victims seek compensation for more than 85 years.
We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients, and we will bring all our knowledge and experience to help you get justice. Our shoulder dystocia lawyers in Connecticut are here to help you navigate complex medical malpractice processes for the best possible outcome. Call today for a free consultation.
What Is Shoulder Dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia is an obstetric emergency that occurs during vaginal delivery. The baby’s shoulder catches on the mother’s pubic bone after the head is already delivered, causing excessive and dangerous pressure on the infant’s head, neck, and spinal column. The condition can cause serious injury or death if not addressed immediately.
If shoulder dystocia occurs, medical providers have a short period of time to address the issue. Depending on the baby’s position and your particular circumstances, your doctor may use a number of maneuvers and methods to help widen your pelvis or adjust the infant’s position in the birth canal. In some cases, doctors may have to use surgical intervention to avoid causing undue harm to you or your baby.
How Does Shoulder Dystocia Affect My Infant’s Health?
With prompt attention, many infants who suffer shoulder dystocia during birth are safely delivered without any lasting effects. However, pressure from contractions can damage the infant’s nerves, cut off oxygen and blood flow to the brain, or fracture the baby’s arm or clavicle. These complications can lead to brachial plexus injuries, Erb’s palsy, brain damage, and other complications.
Nerves in the brachial plexus between the neck and shoulder are responsible for feeling and movement in your baby’s shoulders, arms, and hands. Injury to these nerves due to shoulder dystocia can result in loss of sensation, weakness, and paralysis. Sometimes, these conditions can be treated with physical therapy, but permanent damage is possible.
If your child suffers permanent nerve or brain damage due to shoulder dystocia, they may require long-term medical care, assistive equipment, and various accommodations for their disabilities throughout their lifetime.
What Causes Shoulder Dystocia?
It is impossible to predict shoulder dystocia until it is occurring, but there are risk factors your obstetrician should consider before the delivery, including:
- If you previously had a pregnancy where the child had shoulder dystocia
- Large birth weight of your fetus
- Twins or multiple babies
- Short stature or narrow pelvic structure
- Advanced maternal age (mothers who are older than 35)
- Gestational diabetes
- Overdue pregnancy
If any of these circumstances arise, your doctor may recommend a C-section as an alternative to vaginal birth. Doctors who fail to consider all the risk factors can put mothers and fetuses at risk of shoulder dystocia and its complications. During labor and delivery, doctors and nurses should also consider conditions that can increase the risk of shoulder dystocia, including:
- Induced labor
- Epidural administration
- Extended first stage of labor
- Shortened or extended second stage of labor
If the attending providers do not provide appropriate care consistent with your needs, they could be considered negligent and liable for malpractice. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC has more than 85 years of experience helping injury victims seek compensation from medical practitioners and other negligent parties. Don’t fight solo – let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
How Does Medical Malpractice Lead to Shoulder Dystocia Birth Injuries?
Although there are risk factors that can increase the chances of shoulder dystocia, this injury can occur during any vaginal delivery. Attentive care and prompt treatment can often reduce the impact and prevent long-term effects. However, if a doctor uses improper maneuvers, inappropriate pressure, or other flawed methods inconsistent with the standard of care, they could be liable for any resulting injuries.
Not all cases of shoulder dystocia are eligible for a medical malpractice birth injury claim. To have a valid claim, you must be able to show that doctors, nurses, or medical staff failed to provide you with care consistent with the standard for their field. Examples of malpractice involving shoulder dystocia include:
- Inappropriate handling of shoulder dystocia during labor and birth
- Failure to diagnose shoulder dystocia
- Inadequate preparation for potential shoulder dystocia in at-risk patients
- Inattentive care during pregnancy, labor, or delivery
- Medication errors or inappropriate medication use
If you suspect your child’s shoulder dystocia is the result of medical negligence, contact Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC to discuss your legal options. We are here to help you understand your rights and guide you through the legal process.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Shoulder Dystocia Birth Injury?
If medical negligence caused unnecessary injuries during your labor and birth, you could sue the healthcare provider through a birth injury medical malpractice claim. Most medical providers carry insurance to cover damages if they become liable for injuries in the course of their duties. You may also be able to sue the medical facility.
Our team has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for medical malpractice claims. You can rest assured that we will not back down when it comes to pursuing justice and fair compensation for your injuries.
Damages we could help you recover after a shoulder dystocia injury include:
- Medical care for you and your newborn
- Lost income due to your or your child’s injuries
- Long-term nursing care, assistive equipment, and other accommodations your child may need for their injuries
- Lifetime caretaking costs and other expenses related to your child’s injury
- Emotional distress and physical pain and suffering
Medical malpractice insurance carriers are often stubborn, as their business model relies on paying out as little as possible for claims. We are used to negotiating with difficult insurance companies and aggressive medical attorneys. Let our personal injury lawyers help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Why Partner With Our Birth Injury Attorneys in Connecticut?
The dedicated medical malpractice team at Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC has more than 85 years of experience helping injury victims secure fair compensation. We have the skills, knowledge, and resources to fight giant insurance companies and corporations for a fair settlement on your behalf.
When you work with Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, you can expect:
- Personalized assistance: When you hire us, we immediately assign a dedicated team to handle every aspect of your case.
- Open communication: We keep you updated on all case developments as they happen. Your team is available 24/7 to address your questions and concerns.
- Representation on contingency: You pay nothing upfront for our services. We recover our fees and costs from the final settlement or verdict only if we win your case.
We are a full-service personal injury law firm dedicated to seeking justice and fair compensation on behalf of injury victims. We have extensive experience handling medical malpractice and birth injury cases, including negotiating settlements and representing clients at trial. If you hire us to represent your shoulder dystocia claim, we will:
- Manage all communication related to your case
- Gather evidence, including medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony
- Submit a claim to the negligent provider’s malpractice insurance
- File a lawsuit and defend your rights at trial, if necessary
While you take the time you need to recover from your injuries, you can rest assured that our team will be actively pursuing justice for you and your family.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Review
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC offers free legal consultations for people injured by medical malpractice. Contact our office to schedule a free, no-obligation case review. Our team will listen to the details of your child’s case and provide an honest assessment of your case. If you hire us, we will immediately begin gathering evidence to build a compelling claim on your behalf. Let our shoulder dystocia attorneys help you today.