Shoulder Dystocia
If your child has suffered harm due to shoulder dystocia during birth, we understand the profound distress this has caused your family. At The Medical Law Partnership, we specialise in helping parents like you claim compensation when medical negligence during delivery has resulted in preventable injuries to a child. We appreciate how overwhelming this situation feels, and we're here to provide the expert legal support you need during this challenging time.
How common are errors resulting in Shoulder dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia occurs in about 1 in 200 births, where the baby’s shoulders become stuck during delivery. While it’s a known obstetric emergency, proper management should prevent serious harm to your child. We handle numerous cases each year where medical staff failed to anticipate risk factors like maternal diabetes, large baby size, or previous shoulder dystocia. When doctors don’t follow established emergency procedures or respond quickly enough, it can lead to devastating consequences including brachial plexus injuries, fractures, or oxygen deprivation. If your child’s injury could have been prevented with better care, you may have strong grounds for a compensation claim.
Several critical mistakes can turn this obstetric emergency into a preventable tragedy. Medical staff may have failed to identify risk factors during your pregnancy that should have prompted discussion about delivery options. During labour, there might have been delays in recognising warning signs like prolonged second stage or difficulty delivering the head. We’ve handled cases where doctors used excessive force with instruments or incorrect manoeuvres, worsening the situation rather than following approved techniques like the McRoberts manoeuvre.
Some of the most heartbreaking cases involve failures to call senior help quickly enough, or delays in performing an emergency caesarean when it became clear vaginal delivery wasn’t safe. After the birth, there may have been failures to properly examine your baby for injuries or arrange urgent specialist treatment. If any of these failures occurred during your delivery, we can investigate whether the standard of care fell below what was medically acceptable.
Beginning your claim with us is straightforward, and we’ll handle everything with the sensitivity your family’s situation deserves. When you first contact us, one of our specialist solicitors – who understand the deep impact birth injuries have on families – will listen carefully to your experience. We’ll explain the legal process in clear, compassionate terms and assess whether you may have grounds for a claim.
We’ll obtain all relevant medical records from your pregnancy and delivery, then arrange for independent obstetric and paediatric experts to review your case. These experts help determine whether different management could have prevented your child’s injuries. If we believe you have a strong case, we’ll guide you through every legal step while keeping you fully informed. We work on a no win, no fee basis, so you can pursue justice without financial worry during this emotionally difficult time.
The compensation you may receive is designed to support your child’s needs throughout their life. This typically covers the costs of specialist therapies, adaptive equipment, and any necessary surgeries.
As parents, you may be able to claim for the psychological trauma you’ve suffered, as well as any financial losses from having to reduce work or give up employment to care for your child. The compensation can also cover the costs of travel to specialist appointments, private treatments, and future medical needs as your child grows. Every case is different, but we’ll ensure the claim reflects the full extent of your family’s needs now and in the years ahead.
Shoulder dystocia injury claims typically take between two to four years to resolve, though complex cases involving severe disabilities can take longer. We understand this time frame may feel frustrating when you’re focused on your child’s immediate needs, but thorough investigation is crucial to secure the right level of compensation.
The process involves carefully reviewing all medical records, obtaining multiple expert opinions, and sometimes negotiating with NHS Trusts or their insurers. While we work as efficiently as possible, we won’t rush your claim at the expense of achieving the best outcome for your child. Throughout the process, we’ll keep you regularly updated and explain each development clearly. Starting your claim sooner rather than later helps ensure all evidence is preserved while memories are fresh.
Contact The Medical Law Partnership today.
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