Shoulder Dystocia and Erb’s Palsy

Shoulder dystocia is a condition in which the infant’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery. While attempting to dislodge your baby’s shoulder, your doctor may have used excessive force or acted carelessly and stretched or torn the nerves that connect the spinal cord to the shoulder, wrist, and arm. These injuries can sometimes heal with time, however, if they don’t, a permanent condition known as Erb’s palsy can develop, causing lifelong hand and arm movement limitations for your child.

If your doctor suspected shoulder dystocia and did not order a cesarean section, or carelessly used excessive force to try to dislodge your baby during birth, he or she may be to blame for your baby’s birth injury. Our attorneys have the resources and experience to investigate your case to determine if your doctor is to blame for the injuries your child is now suffering.

Contact Our Pittsburgh Offices to Speak with Our Birth Injury Lawyers

If you are unsure whether or not your child has suffered a shoulder dystocia injury during birth, please contact our Pittsburgh office to speak with our birth injury attorneys about your case. Our lawyers have the resources and experience to thoroughly investigate the birth of your child to determine if a medical professional’s actions led to a birth injury.

^ back to top