A Shoulder Dystocia Lawsuit Can Be Filed Any Time before the Child Turns 20

Shoulder dystocia (obstructed labor) occurs when an infant's shoulders cannot pass through the birth canal, and significant manipulation becomes necessary for delivery. There are a number of obstetrical maneuvers and labor positions that can facilitate delivery in the case of shoulder dystocia, and they are often successful. However, unnecessarily aggressive manipulation, carelessness, or neglect by the doctor can result in serious injury or death.

It is common in medical malpractice cases involving shoulder dystocia for the doctor to pull too aggressively on the infant's head or arm during labor, tearing the brachial plexus (the network of nerves running from the spine, through the neck, and into the arm). The degrees of deformity in the arm that can result from shoulder dystocia range from mild to severe. A mild case may be characterized by a weak hand, a weak grip, or an inability to lift the hand about the shoulder. A severe case may be characterized by a withered hand, a deformed arm, a smaller-than-average arm, or loss of arm function.

Infant Hypoxia is another, although less common, risk of shoulder dystocia that is caused by the deprivation of oxygen via the umbilical cord. During obstructed labor, the umbilical cord can become trapped in the birth canal, cutting off the infant's oxygen supply. In the most devastating scenarios, shoulder dystocia can result in death.

The mother can also experience complications in cases of shoulder dystocia. Postpartum hemorrhage and third- or fourth-degree lacerations can result from an obstructed birth that was improperly diagnosed or treated.