The birth of a child is a life-changing event for the child’s parents, and a birth injury can be a life-changing event for the child. A birth injury can occur either before, during, or after delivery, and many birth injuries are preventable. Shoulder dystocia is an emergency which occurs during delivery that can lead to serious birth injuries. Shoulder dystocia results when the child’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pelvic bone during birth. When shoulder dystocia is not handled properly by attending physicians and nurses, it can lead to severe and permanent injury to the child. Victims of shoulder dystocia in Maryland and Washington D.C. can contact Maryland Medical Malpractice for assistance with their birth injury questions and concerns.
When the newborn’s shoulder becomes lodged during delivery, the nerves running from the spine to the shoulder may become compressed, stretched or torn. This compressing, stretching or tearing of nerves can lead to either temporary or permanent nerve damage. Due to the resulting birth injuries sustained from shoulder dystocia, the child may lack muscle control in his or her arm, hand or wrist, suffer paralysis in his or her arm, or have no feeling in his or her arm or hand. The child may also suffer bone fractures, brain damage, or even death if the shoulder dystocia is not attended to immediately. Maryland Medical Malpractice can provide parents with resources and information regarding shoulder dystocia and resulting birth injuries.
Shoulder dystocia can present health complications and concerns for both the child and the mother during delivery. If this medical emergency is not resolved quickly and skillfully, both the mother and child may suffer. When a physician fails to respond appropriately to shoulder dystocia and an injury occurs, the doctor may be held liable for medical malpractice. Maryland Medical Malpractice can help parents determine if the doctors or nurses present during the child’s delivery acted according to the medical community’s accepted standards of care. If the physician or nurses failed to respond to the situation appropriately, those responsible for the child’s injuries may be held liable for damages.
Shoulder dystocia can cause permanent disability to the child, and these children may require special medical care and treatment. Special medical care and treatment can create a financial burden for the parents. When birth injuries occur due to medical malpractice, the child may be entitled to monetary compensation for their injuries as well as their pain and suffering. Maryland Medical Malpractice can help parents determine if their child’s birth injury was the result of malpractice and help them file a personal injury claim. While no financial remuneration can change the fact that the birth injury occurred, the monies obtained from the parties responsible for the birth injury can help parents ensure their child gets the medical attention and special services they deserve.
Maryland Medical Malpractice can offer legal guidance to victims of shoulder dystocia in Maryland and Washington D.C. Those responsible for Maryland malpractice should be held accountable for their actions. Through Maryland Medical Malpractice, parents can obtain free case reviews from qualified and experienced local attorneys to determine if their child’s birth injury resulted from medical malpractice. Contact Maryland Medical Malpractice now for a consultation.
