Salt Lake City Birth Injury Attorney

Salt Lake City, Tooele and Price, Utah

Shoulder dystocia is a birth injury occurring when a baby’s shoulders get stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone during birth. It can harm the baby by impairing its ability to breathe, and also result in neurological damage, brachial plexus injuries, and skeletal injuries such as a broken clavicle.

When correctly diagnosed, shoulder dystocia can be avoided by alternative delivery methods. One of the more common ways to avoid this issue is by performing a caesarean section.

Brachial Plexus Damage

If shoulder dystocia is not detected early enough, serious injury to the brachial plexus will occur.

Brachial plexus nerves extend from the spinal cord through the shoulder and down the arm, ending in your fingers. If these nerves are damaged, it can lead to the following problems:

• Klumpke’s Palsy – paralysis of the thoracic nerves, resulting in a limp hand and immovable fingers
• Horner’s Syndrome – damage to the sympathetic nervous system causing droopy eyelids and small pupils
• Complete Brachial Plexus Palsy – all five brachial plexus nerves are damaged, causing paralysis of the entire arm
• Erb’s Palsy – occurs when the 5th and 6th cervical nerves are paralyzed, making one arm twisted and immovable

Negligence

Most shoulder dystocia injuries are the result of negligence. There are several risk factors that can predispose a woman to having this birth complication. Doctors need to be aware of these risk factors and adjust the birth procedure accordingly. If they fail to do so, they are guilty of providing negligent care and can be held liable for medical malpractice.

Often, it can be difficult to prove fault in these cases since many people are involved in the birth process. Many doctors are also hesitant to testify against each other in these cases. Therefore, it is important to hire a medical malpractice attorney who is experienced in handling birth injury cases.

G. Eric Nielson & Associates Can Help

Our attorneys specialize in medical malpractice cases. In fact, that is all we handle at G. Eric Nielson & Associates. We have a great deal of knowledge about birth injuries, and have a wealth of contacts in the medical field to help us win your case. Our attorneys provide highly individualized service to meet the needs of each client and the specifics of every case.

In our free consultation, we will discuss the details of your case with you to help you determine whether your baby’s injuries were the result of negligence. If they are, we will help you understand the best way to proceed with your case, so that you can receive fair compensation for your damages.

Please contact G. Eric Nielson & Associates, LLC today to schedule a free consultation with one of our birth injury lawyers.