Atlanta Brachial Plexus Injury Attorney

Shoulder Dystocia Birth Injuries and Your Legal Rights

One of the worst events new parents in Georgia can experience is when something goes wrong during the delivery of their child. What was a joyous and wonderful time suddenly turns into a terrifying experience that something has gone terribly wrong. At Andrew R. Lynch, P.C., we know that a frequent birth injury that occurs in the delivery room is shoulder dystocia injury. If your child has been diagnosed with this injury, call our office to speak with a brachial plexus injury attorney Atlanta GA parents trust.

Shoulder dystocia occurs when the infant’s head has emerged through the birth canal but one of the shoulders has become stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone. This prevents the rest of the baby’s body to emerge. Our Georgia spinal cord injury attorney knows there are several reasons why this can occur that are completely avoidable:

• Improper Use of Forceps During Delivery: Forceps are a tool that doctors use to assist in a delivery process that has become challenging. In the correct use of forceps, the took grips the infant’s head so that the doctor can assist the baby out of the birth canal. When forceps are used improperly, the baby can suffer serious and possibly life-threatening injuries. If the medical professional doesn’t handle the tool correctly, they can turn the infant’s head in the wrong direction. Gripping the forceps too tightly can also cause harm. These mistakes can injure the infant’s shoulders, resulting in shoulder dystocia.
• Putting Too Much Pressure on the Mother’s Abdomen: During labor and delivery, medical professionals often apply downward pressure on the mother’s stomach to help assist the infant’s descent into the birth canal. This is called fundal pressure. If there is too much pressure applied, the infant’s shoulders can get caught up behind the mother’s pelvis, causing shoulder dystocia.
• Epidural: Many women choose an epidural to help them during labor. An epidural helps to ease labor pains while contractions get closer and closer together. The problem with epidurals is that the mother may lose the ability to feel the need to push. This can cause several issues, including causing the infant to descend into the birth canal improperly and causing injuries to the shoulders.

Let Our Firm Help

If your baby has suffered shoulder dystocia, Erb’s Palsy, or other brachial plexus injury, your family may be able to pursue legal action against the medical professionals who are responsible for this issue. Every doctor and midwife have a duty to care for all patients under a standard of care. If their failure to perform their duties below this standard of care causes an injury, this can be grounds for a birth injury medical malpractice lawsuit.

To learn more, contact the Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. to speak with an Atlanta GA brachial plexus injury attorney. We can schedule a free and confidential case evaluation and discuss what your family’s legal options may be.