Michigan Shoulder DystociaBirth Injury Lawyers

While shoulder dystocia is uncommon, it’s a well-documented obstetric emergency, but one that trained professionals must be prepared to handle. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it occurs in about 0.6% to 1.4% of births involving babies of average weight. For larger babies, those weighing more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces, the risk increases significantly, ranging from 5% to 9%.

When shoulder dystocia occurs, the baby’s delivery is obstructed. This situation is a medical emergency. If the delivery team doesn’t act quickly and appropriately, the baby may lose oxygen or suffer physical trauma. When trained providers fail to follow basic emergency procedures, the results are devastating and avoidable. That’s medical negligence.

Risk Factors That Increase Likelihood

One of the most important responsibilities of prenatal care is identifying risks. Several known factors increase the likelihood of shoulder dystocia. When these are present, medical professionals should prepare for the possibility of a difficult delivery or consider recommending a cesarean section.

Common risk factors include:

• Gestational or pre-existing diabetes
• A baby estimated to weigh over 8 pounds 13 ounces (macrosomia)
• Previous delivery complicated by shoulder dystocia
• Labor that is prolonged or stalls during the second stage
• Post-term pregnancy
• Maternal obesity
• Short stature or small pelvic size

These risk factors don’t guarantee a birth injury like shoulder dystocia will happen, but when they’re present, providers must have a plan and act without delay. Failure to do so can constitute negligence.

Emergency Nature of the Condition and Time-Sensitive Response Requirements

Once shoulder dystocia is diagnosed during delivery, the outcome depends entirely on the medical team’s response. If not resolved within minutes, the baby can suffer severe injury due to compression of the umbilical cord or mechanical trauma.

Providers are trained to use different maneuvers, such as:

• McRoberts Maneuver: Repositioning the mother’s legs to widen the pelvis
• Suprapubic Pressure: Pressure above the pubic bone to help dislodge the shoulder
• Woods Corkscrew or Rubin’s Maneuver: Rotating the baby’s shoulders
• Delivery of the Posterior Arm: Removing the trailing arm to reduce shoulder width

When those techniques are not used properly, or when the team panics or delays, injuries are far more likely to occur.

Common mistakes include:

• Applying excessive force to the baby’s head or neck
• Using vacuum extractors or forceps inappropriately
• Waiting too long to begin emergency interventions
• Failing to communicate or coordinate with available surgical staff
• Attempting risky maneuvers without adequate training or supervision

In some cases, these mistakes are so significant that they fall below the accepted standard of care. That is when a birth injury becomes a medical malpractice case. Our experienced attorneys can help you investigate these failures to build your case. Contact Fieger Law for assistance.

The physical consequences of shoulder dystocia can be severe. Some injuries resolve over time, but others cause lasting or permanent impairment.

Injuries may include:

• Brachial Plexus Injuries: Damage to the nerves controlling the arm and shoulder. This can lead to partial or full paralysis (Erb’s palsy or Klumpke’s palsy).
• Fractures: The baby’s clavicle or humerus can break during forced delivery.
• Facial Nerve Trauma: This can occur if pressure is applied unevenly during birth.
• Oxygen Deprivation: In prolonged deliveries, the baby’s brain may not receive enough oxygen, resulting in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
• Cerebral Palsy: A brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen may lead to lifelong movement and coordination issues.
• Horner’s Syndrome: A rare condition caused by nerve damage in the neck, affecting the eye and facial muscles.

In rare instances, shoulder dystocia can result in the loss of a child if the obstruction is not relieved in time.

Not every case of shoulder dystocia is preventable. However, some are made worse or caused by poor decisions before or during delivery.

Negligence may be present when:

• Risk factors were not identified or discussed.
• A cesarean section should have been performed but was not.
• Staff failed to act promptly during a delivery emergency.
• A doctor applied excessive pulling force.
• Improper tools or techniques were used.
• A qualified support team was not available during labor.

If these factors are present, it is important to consult a legal team that can review your medical records and determine whether the injury could have been avoided. Beyond proving fault, it’s important to understand how deeply these injuries can affect families every day.

A birth injury does not just affect the newborn. Parents may be thrust into a lifelong caregiving role, often with little preparation and limited support.

Many families must adapt their homes, navigate therapy schedules, seek special education services, and cover ongoing medical costs. Children may need braces, orthotics, or wheelchairs. Some require surgery. Others rely on assistive communication devices or behavioral therapy well into adolescence.

A serious injury can also limit a parent’s ability to return to work. In many cases, one parent becomes a full-time caregiver. Planning for a child’s lifelong care requires legal action that fully accounts for these long-term needs.

A successful claim for medical malpractice related to shoulder dystocia may help cover the cost of:

• Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
• Long-term therapy and rehabilitation
• Surgery and specialist care
• Medical devices and home equipment
• Educational accommodations and support
• Modifications to the home or vehicle
• Loss of income from caregiving responsibilities
• Pain and suffering for both the child and parents
• Future care planning, including trust funds and guardianship needs

This support ensures your child and family have the tools, access, and stability needed to move forward.

For decades, Fieger Law has fought for individuals and families harmed by negligence in the most critical moments of their lives. Our attorneys understand the complexity of birth injury cases and what it takes to hold hospitals, insurers, and defense teams accountable.

We partner with some of the top medical experts in obstetrics, neonatology, and pediatric rehabilitation to evaluate every case. We do not rush into quick settlements. We build strong claims, backed by facts, to bring justice to Michigan families.

Our firm has obtained some of the highest birth trauma verdicts and settlements in the nation, including $144.5 million in Michigan in 2011.

If your child was injured due to shoulder dystocia during delivery, and you believe it could have been prevented, our team is here to help.

Contact Fieger Law today for a free consultation. Our team is ready to advocate for your child’s care and your family’s future.