Clavicle Fractures Are the Most Common Birth Injuries
Clavicle fractures are the most common type of birth injury. The condition can occur for several reasons. Broken bones can sometimes result because a baby is too large to fit through the birth canal. However, in other cases, a doctor may use negligent delivery techniques, injuring your child. Your baby’s fractured bone can cause significant pain, and your family may be dealing with steep medical bills. Attorney Norman Younker focuses exclusively on medical malpractice, including birth injuries. Therefore, he can determine the cause of your baby’s injury, and he can fight to obtain the financial compensation you deserve. To learn more about birth injury and clavicle fractures, contact our Salt Lake City practice today.
How Does a Clavicle Fracture Occur?
In some cases, a broken clavicle occurs naturally without any negligence on the part of your doctor. If your baby is unusually large, or if you have a small birth canal, the pressure may lead to a fracture. In other situations, however, your obstetrician may actually cause the injury. If your doctor uses forceps or a vacuum in delivery, your baby will have a higher risk for a broken clavicle. Sometimes, even manual force can result in broken bones.
Symptoms of a Clavicle Fracture
Clavicle fractures are not always visible. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of a broken collarbone. Signs of this birth injury can include:
- Your baby only moves one arm and keeps the other held close to the side of his or her body.
- A hard lump appears near the clavicle.
- Your baby cries when lifted underneath the arms.
In some cases, you can even feel a clavicle break. If you cannot detect the fracture manually, your doctor may take x-rays to diagnose the birth injury.
Long-Term Risks of a Clavicle Fracture
In many cases, a broken clavicle will heal on its own. Sometimes, your doctor may suggest immobilizing the arm on the same side as the fracture. In other situations, however, a broken clavicle can have serious consequences for your baby’s lifelong health and mobility. Long-term damage can include:
- Nerve injuries
- Chronic pain
- Limited range of motion
- Muscle atrophy
- Joint damage
These consequences are more likely to occur if your doctor misdiagnoses or fails to diagnose a broken clavicle.
Do You Have a Legal Case?
Because clavicle fractures can occur naturally, it is important to work with an experienced birth injury lawyer to prove doctor negligence. Your obstetrician may be held liable for the injury if he or she:
- Used improper delivery techniques
- Used the wrong instruments or misused the instruments
- Used excessive force during delivery
- Failed to diagnose your baby’s broken clavicle
- Did not treat the fracture correctly
Schedule a Legal Evaluation Today
Attorney Younker works exclusively in the realm of patient injury and wrongful death. He also has an experienced team of associates committed to your financial, physical, and emotional well being. Your attorney will provide a free case evaluation to determine whether you have a feasible birth injury case. Then he will fight for the justice that you and your innocent baby deserve. Contact our firm today to schedule your evaluation.