{"id":353154,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:39","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/medical-malpractice\/birth-injury-shoulder-dystocia.html"},"modified":"2024-01-12T17:00:27","modified_gmt":"2024-01-12T22:00:27","slug":"birth-injury-shoulder-dystocia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/medical-malpractice\/birth-injury-shoulder-dystocia.html","title":{"rendered":"Birth Injury Claims: Shoulder Dystocia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Birth Injury Claims: Shoulder Dystocia<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Shoulder dystocia is a rare but worrisome cause of birth injury. If a health care provider failed to take steps to relieve it, they may have been negligent. Parents have legal options after a birth injury due to labor and delivery errors.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shoulder dystocia<\/span> can lead to conditions like Erb’s palsy<\/span>, known as a brachial plexus injury<\/span>. Erb’s palsy is a birth injury<\/span> to the shoulder that can happen when a baby’s shoulder<\/span> gets stuck in the mother’s pelvis during delivery.<\/p>\n

Shoulder dystocia<\/span> only happens in a small percentage of births<\/a>, and very few of those cases result in permanent injuries. The majority of injuries caused by shoulder dystocia<\/span> heal within six to 12 months with no long-term complications. But, in severe cases<\/span>, there is a risk of permanent disability or death.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If your child suffered a serious shoulder dystocia<\/span> injury, you may have questions about whether the obstetrician<\/span> and other medical staff responded properly. This article will describe how shoulder dystocia<\/span> can cause injuries and the duty of medical providers<\/a> to prevent them. It also explains how to file a legal claim<\/span> after a difficult delivery<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Getting a second opinion from a medical provider and a consultation with a medical malpractice<\/span> lawyer<\/a> can help. They can give you more perspective about whether to file a birth injury<\/span> claim<\/span> for compensation.<\/p>\n

Injuries Caused by Shoulder Dystocia<\/h2>\n

When an infant’s shoulders can’t enter or pass through the mother’s pelvis during delivery, the\u00a0baby becomes wedged in the birth canal<\/a>. This condition causes immense pressure and can lead to injuries to the mother and infant.<\/p>\n

For the infant, complications include:<\/p>\n