Shoulder Dystocia Malpractice Lawyer Fort Lauderdale FL
If you’re in need of a shoulder dystocia malpractice lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL families trust, turn to Needle & Ellenberg, P.A. When a young child suffers from a birth related injury, their family cannot help but feel emotional and helpless. There are many birth-related complications that, while preventable, may nonetheless cause substantial harm to newborn babies. This is why doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, and midwives play an extremely important role. These professionals help ensure a safe delivery of newborn babies, but one mistake could have deleterious results, possibly resulting in disability.
SHOULDER DYSTOCIA
Shoulder dystocia refers to a unique type of obstructed labor in which the baby’s shoulder is not able to pass. If not treated immediately, damaging and life-threatening results may occur, as a shoulder dystocia malpractice lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL might attest. Shoulder dystocia may occur without any warning signs, but relaxed and efficient control of this situation can help make sure both the mother and child are safe.
The use of vacuum or forceps during delivery is the most frequent risk factor involved with shoulder dystocia. If a baby is large, it may get trapped inside its mother and fail to move down the birth canal. Sometimes, doctors combat this by using vacuum extraction or forceps to help deliver the baby. When a baby’s shoulder gets stuck and results in an injury, many families turn to a shoulder dystocia malpractice lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL residents highly recommend.
Shoulder dystocia can occur during any delivery, but the following women have a higher risk for a delivery with a shoulder dystocia complication:
- Women who have delivered large babies in the past
- Women who are carrying more than one baby
- Women who have gestational diabetes
Generally, doctors should identify any risks associated with shoulder dystocia, and take any necessary precautions to ensure a safe, healthy delivery. Usually, Caesarean section surgery is needed to quickly remove the baby and prevent damaging consequences when shoulder dystocia occurs. Also, the McRoberts maneuver, Zavanelli maneuver, suprapubic pressure, or internal rotation may be performed to help shift the baby into the proper position.
SHOULDER DYSTOCIA INJURIES
As a Fort Lauderdale, FL shoulder dystocia malpractice lawyer may explain, a baby and it’s mother may suffer serious injuries if a shoulder dystocia is not taken care of properly and quickly, including:
- Brain damage
- Broken bones
- Permanent nerve damage
- Erb’s (Klumpke’s) palsy
- Maternal hemorrhage
- Lacerations
- Uterine ruptures
How Parents Can Take Action if Birth Injuries Happen
When a baby suffers from a birth injury, parents may be entitled to compensation through filing a lawsuit against the doctor or facility for the negligence or mistake. Those who work in the medical field are required to uphold a reasonable level of care to patients. Doctors, nurses, or hospitals that fail to offer the standard quality of care expected within the medical community, may eventually face a lawsuit. Parents who have a newborn with physical or cognitive injuries, can consult with a shoulder dystocia malpractice lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL trusts from Needle & Ellenberg, P.A. to help prepare for taking legal action.
In addition to shoulder dystocia, there are many ways that birth injuries can happen. Sometimes, a doctor may try to label an injury as a genetic condition as a way to elude responsibility. Parents who have a hunch their doctor isn’t telling the truth, may want to obtain legal representation for clarity and protection right away.
Overly Aggressive Use of Forceps
If a mother is having trouble delivering with her own force of pushing, a doctor may use forceps to help extract the baby out. When forceps are used properly, it can help reduce the baby’s chances of oxygen deprivation, fetal distress, cerebral palsy, and more. While birth-assisting tools can be helpful, if a doctor uses them aggressively, it can cause further damage. If the forceps are used too harshly, it can lead to temporary or permanent nerve damage of the baby’s neck or chest, along with scrapes and bruises of the scalp.
Incorrect Use of Vacuum
If the fetus has not expelled from the birth canal within a reasonable time-frame, a vacuum may be used to move him or her along. Vacuums are used by latching onto the baby’s shoulder or skull and helping guide along the birth canal. While this can be gentle enough when used correctly, a doctor or nurse that is too hasty may not place the vacuum on the right body part, leading to serious injuries to both baby and mother. If your doctor used a vacuum and your baby came out with a misshapen head or other visible wounds, inform these observations to a shoulder dystocia malpractice lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL has to offer. If the abnormalities are still present, take photographs so these symptoms can be documented.
C-Section Delay
If a baby is suffering from fetal distress, a doctor may order an emergency c-section. The doctor and nurses must strictly monitor the mother’s blood pressure, baby’s heart rate, and other signs that there are issues with delivery. Other reasons for a c-section may include umbilical cord prolapses, uterine ruptures, placenta covering the cervix, and a slowed labor. If the medical team doesn’t identify and address these issues promptly, they may be held liable for the damages and injuries that result.
As a shoulder dystocia malpractice lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL families turn to for honest legal advocacy, we can provide legal insight, strategy, and support as you seek justice for your baby’s birth injury. Please do not sit in anguish over what happened, let us help you get through this difficult time, and see that the doctor or medical facility is held responsible for their mistake.
CONTACT A SHOULDER DYSTOCIA MALPRACTICE LAWYER FORT LAUDERDALE FL FAMILIES TURN TO FOR HELP
While shoulder dystocia may not be avoidable, there are steps that can be taken to help ensure a safe deliver. If your baby’s shoulder dystocia was not addressed or was improperly treated, contact a shoulder dystocia malpractice lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL is proud to have fighting for its community.
If shoulder dystocia is not a factor in your case, but you believe your child suffered from a birth injury that was a result of medical malpractice, we, at Needle & Ellenberg, P.A. , encourage you to call us to speak with a birth injury and shoulder dystocia malpractice lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL residents rely on for a consultation.