Shoulder Dystocia
A common birth injury or birth trauma is shoulder dystocia. This is a condition where, after a baby’s head has delivered, it becomes apparent the baby’s shoulders are too big to fit through the mother’s birth canal. The physician has only minutes to manage the situation while the baby is stuck in that position, though, since the umbilical cord is likely being compressed, cutting off oxygen which could lead to brain injury. The proper way to manage shoulder dystocia is through maneuvers that relieve pressure on the shoulder. The improper response is to pull on the baby’s head. Pulling on the head causes excessive traction resulting in shoulder dystocia, an injury to the delicate and complex of nerves running from the spinal cord to the arms, known as the brachial plexus nerves.
If your child was injured by improper delivery procedures or by an obstetrician’s failure to perform a c-section, you may have a claim for obstetric malpractice. Contact our firm for a free consultation with a lawyer with the appropriate experience to answer your questions. Our firm, Ury & Moskow, LLC, serves clients in Norwalk, Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, Danbury, Waterbury and all of Connecticut, and in New York and Washington, DC.
Permanent brachial plexus injury: Erb’s palsy
Shoulder dystocia suffered during childbirth may result in a permanent brachial plexus injury, which can lead to Erb’s palsy, a condition that affects the nerves and muscles of the shoulder, arm, elbow, and hand. Erb’s palsy can lead to contracture of the arm, one arm shorter than the other, deformity of the hand, restricted motion in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand and “winged scapula” where the shoulder blade protrudes at a wider angle than normal. There are significant economic as well as social and personal consequences from Erb’s Palsy. A child with Erb’s Palsy may require surgery and will likely require years of therapy and rehabilitation as well as special accommodations at school and at work. Erb’s Palsy can also cause a significant loss of earning capacity as well as issues of self-esteem.
Birth injury trial lawyers
At Ury & Moskow, LLC, our trial lawyers have recovered substantial verdicts and settlements through litigation and out-of-court negotiations for children with Erb’s Palsy and cerebral palsy. The attorneys work with nationally recognized medical experts to successfully resolve medical malpractice cases for our clients.
We provide our clients with personal attention and handle their cases with legal sophistication to secure compensation on their behalf following instances of obstetrical malpractice. We understand that it may be impossible to completely restore the damage and loss in these situations, but we will vigorously pursue a resolution that will compensate you to the full extent available under the law.
Our lawyers serve clients in Norwalk, Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, Danbury, Waterbury, all of Connecticut, and in New York and Washington, DC.
Contact A Diligent Medical Malpractice Attorney
Contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Ury & Moskow, LLC today for a free consultation and case review. Medical malpractice cases are taken on a contingency basis, meaning there are no fees until we recover compensation for your injuries and you owe no attorneys’ fees at all if you do not successfully recover on your claim.
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