Baltimore Shoulder Dystocia Attorneys

Representing Shoulder Dystocia Victims in Baltimore County & Prince George’s County

Shoulder dystocia occurs when a newborn’s shoulder bone gets caught and stuck on their mother’s pelvic bone during delivery. This emergency is more likely to occur if the baby is particularly large or overdue, and the complication can result in serious consequences if not immediately addressed. Shoulder dystocia can trigger neck injuries, potentially leading to permanent paralysis and other disabling conditions.

If your baby sustained injuries due to the negligent actions of medical personnel, do not wait to discuss your case with Miller Stern Lawyers. Our Baltimore shoulder dystocia lawyers frequently handle complex cases involving birth defects and have successfully represented thousands of satisfied clients. We may be able to help you recover compensation for your child’s past, current, and future medical expenses, as well as other types of losses. Our team takes a personal approach to legal advocacy, and you will work directly with our attorneys throughout our handling of your case. After reviewing your situation, we can walk you through your legal options and fight for you every step of the way.

Schedule a free initial consultation today by contacting us online or calling 410-LAW-FIRM. We provide our legal services in English, Hebrew, and Spanish.

Why Does Shoulder Dystocia Happen?

Several factors can heighten the risk of shoulder dystocia. This is not an uncommon medical emergency, and medical professionals should know how to anticipate and handle the problem should it arise. 

Warning signs for shoulder dystocia include:

• A significantly overdue infant (40 weeks or more)
• A particularly large infant (over 8 pounds and 14 ounces)
• Maternal obesity
• Maternal diabetes
• Substantial maternal weight gain (more than 35 pounds)
• A short mother

If one or more of these warning signs are present, your doctor should be aware of the possibility of shoulder dystocia. They should therefore not use forceps or a vacuum extractor to assist with the birth, as these tools can also heighten the risk of a blockage. Tests can be run to proactively prepare, and other preemptive procedures can be implemented to minimize risk.

What Are the Consequences of Shoulder Dystocia?

Shoulder dystocia has the potential to seriously harm the child and the mother. The long-term impacts will depend on how quickly the child is removed and how the extraction is accomplished. Time is of the essence: The longer a child remains stuck in the birth canal, the greater the chance they will experience life-changing complications.

Consequences of shoulder dystocia may include:

• Brain damage in the infant
• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
• Fractured clavicle or humerus in the infant
• Chest expansion problems in the infant
• Brachial plexus injuries in the infant
• Hemorrhaging in the mother
• Umbilical cord problems
• Contusions and lacerations

What Should I Do If My Baby Was Injured Due to Shoulder Dystocia?

Learning you or your baby were injured during delivery is traumatic, and you will understandably want answers on whether anything could have been done to prevent the outcome. Our Baltimore shoulder dystocia attorneys can assess what happened and advise whether you have a legal case. 

In evaluating these situations, we will carefully review the facts and determine what a reasonable medical professional with a similar background would have done in the same situation. Some delivery injuries are unfortunately unavoidable, but shoulder dystocia complications are sometimes the result of avoidable errors. If the medical personnel handling your delivery made a negligent decision or acted outside of accepted protocols, you likely have the right to sue and recover damages.

You must act quickly, as Maryland enforces time limits for bringing legal action in these cases. You will have five years from the date of the injury (typically the delivery date) or three years from the date you discovered the injury, whichever comes first. (Keep in mind that you may not immediately realize your baby suffered long-term complications from shoulder dystocia.) If shoulder dystocia results in death, you have three years from the date of your loved one’s passing to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.

The injured child can also file their own lawsuit and recover compensation in Maryland. They will have three years from the date they turn 18 to take legal action.

Get Help Today

A successful shoulder dystocia lawsuit can help you recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages, including reductions in earning capacity
• Physical pain and mental suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Miller Stern Lawyers recognize you are going through an exceptionally difficult time, and we are committed to providing the compassionate representation you need to get what you deserve. Our Baltimore shoulder dystocia lawyers have what it takes to win these cases, and we will do everything we can to secure a just result.

Do not wait to discuss your case with us if you or your baby suffered shoulder dystocia injuries. Call 410-LAW-FIRM or contact us online today.