Shoulder dystocia is a dangerous birth complication that can result in permanent injury to both the mother and child. It occurs when the baby’s shoulders get stuck during the birth process, and it can lead to serious health problems including Erb’s palsy, cerebral palsy, and even death.
If you or your child has been injured as a result of shoulder dystocia, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the responsible party. In this blog post, we’ll discuss shoulder dystocia in Tennessee medical malpractice cases and the different ways that a negligent physician or medical staff can be held liable.
Causes of Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia can occur for a variety of reasons, but it is most often caused by the negligence of the physicians or medical staff involved in the birth. Some common causes of shoulder dystocia include:
- Not performing a proper assessment of the mother’s pelvis before delivery
- Not adequately monitoring the baby’s heart rate during labor
- Failing to order a C-section when shoulder dystocia is anticipated
- Using excessive force during delivery
- Administering Pitocin or other drugs without monitoring the baby’s heart rate
If you or your child has been injured as the result of shoulder dystocia, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. The experienced medical malpractice attorneys Tennessee Accident Law can help you investigate your claim and pursue all available avenues of recovery.