Fertility Law Group – Helping Families Understand the Lasting Impact of Birth Injuries
Shoulder dystocia is one of the most dangerous complications that can occur during delivery. It happens when a baby’s shoulders become stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone after the head has been delivered. When doctors fail to handle this situation correctly, they may use excessive force to pull the baby out, leading to serious nerve injuries, fractures, and long-term disabilities.
At Fertility Law Group, we help families whose children have suffered brachial plexus injuries, Erb’s palsy, Klumpke’s palsy, and other birth injuries due to improper medical care. We understand how overwhelming it is for parents to learn that their child may face permanent impairments due to a delivery mistake. Our team is here to provide support, legal guidance, and the resources families need to ensure the best possible care for their child.
What Is Shoulder Dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s head has been delivered, but one or both shoulders are trapped behind the mother’s pelvis. This prevents the baby from being fully born and can cause a dangerous delay in delivery, increasing the risk of oxygen deprivation and physical trauma.
Risk factors for shoulder dystocia include:
- Large baby (fetal macrosomia)
- Maternal diabetes
- Previous shoulder dystocia in a prior pregnancy
- Prolonged labor or failure to progress
- Use of forceps or vacuum extraction
- Excessive maternal weight gain
While these factors can increase the risk, shoulder dystocia can happen unexpectedly in any delivery. Doctors and nurses must be prepared to recognize the warning signs and act quickly using safe medical techniques.
How Medical Negligence Leads to Brachial Plexus Injuries and Other Complications
When shoulder dystocia occurs, doctors are trained to use specific maneuvers to safely free the baby’s shoulders without causing harm. Unfortunately, some medical providers panic or apply excessive force, leading to serious birth injuries.
Common mistakes that cause preventable injuries include:
- Excessive pulling on the baby’s head or neck – This can overstretch or tear the nerves that control movement in the arms and hands.
- Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors – If these tools are applied incorrectly, they can worsen the baby’s position and increase the risk of nerve damage.
- Failure to perform a timely C-section – If risk factors for shoulder dystocia are present, a C-section may be the safer option. Delaying or denying this procedure can put the baby at risk.
- Failure to recognize fetal distress – If a baby is stuck for too long, oxygen deprivation can lead to permanent brain damage.
When doctors fail to handle shoulder dystocia properly, the baby can suffer lasting physical and neurological impairments.
Common Birth Injuries Caused by Shoulder Dystocia
The most common injury associated with shoulder dystocia is brachial plexus injury, which affects the network of nerves that control movement and sensation in the arms and hands. The severity of the injury depends on whether the nerves were stretched, torn, or completely detached from the spinal cord.
Types of brachial plexus injuries include:
- Erb’s palsy – Damage to the upper nerves, causing weakness or paralysis in the shoulder and upper arm.
- Klumpke’s palsy – Damage to the lower nerves, leading to paralysis in the forearm and hand.
- Neurapraxia – A mild stretch injury that may heal over time.
- Neuroma – Nerve damage that results in scar tissue formation, limiting function.
- Avulsion or rupture – A severe injury where the nerve is torn or pulled from the spinal cord, often resulting in permanent disability.
Other possible complications include:
- Clavicle or humerus fractures – Breaking of the collarbone or arm bone due to excessive force.
- Oxygen deprivation and brain damage – If delivery is delayed too long, the baby may suffer hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, or developmental delays.
Treatment and Long-Term Care for Brachial Plexus Injuries
Some babies with brachial plexus injuries recover with therapy, while others require surgery and lifelong rehabilitation. Early intervention is essential to maximize recovery.
Common treatments include:
- Physical and occupational therapy – Helps improve muscle strength, coordination, and range of motion.
- Surgical nerve grafting or transfers – May be needed if the nerve damage is severe.
- Bracing and assistive devices – Supports mobility and function in the affected arm.
- Pain management and muscle stimulation therapy – Helps with nerve regeneration and prevents muscle atrophy.
For many families, the financial burden of therapy, medical care, and adaptive equipment is overwhelming. This is why securing compensation is so critical—it ensures that a child has access to the best possible treatments and lifelong support.
Why Families Seek Legal Help After a Shoulder Dystocia Injury
Shoulder dystocia can be managed safely when doctors follow proper medical guidelines. When mistakes are made, and a baby suffers preventable injuries, families deserve answers and financial support for their child’s care.
A legal claim can help provide compensation for:
- Medical treatments, surgeries, and therapy
- Assistive devices and adaptive equipment
- Special education and individualized learning plans
- Future care costs to ensure financial security
- Pain and suffering for both the child and parents
At Fertility Law Group, we are committed to helping families understand their legal rights, investigate what went wrong, and fight for the compensation their child deserves. If your child suffered a birth injury due to improper handling of shoulder dystocia, please contact us for a free, confidential consultation.
