The birth of a child should be a moment of joy—not the beginning of a medical crisis. But for some families in Pennsylvania, the delivery room becomes the site of a traumatic injury when shoulder dystocia occurs. This dangerous complication happens when a baby’s shoulders become lodged behind the mother’s pelvis after the head has been delivered. When not handled with skill and urgency, it can cause permanent nerve damage, oxygen deprivation, and lasting harm to both the infant and mother.

As fall birth rates continue to climb, OB/GYN units are under increasing seasonal pressure—and unfortunately, that can raise the risk of mistakes. If your newborn suffered a brachial plexus injury, fractured bones, or other complications during birth, it’s crucial to determine whether proper medical care was provided.

This guide explains what shoulder dystocia is, how it happens, and when it may be grounds for a shoulder dystocia lawsuit.

Understanding Shoulder Dystocia and Its Risks

Shoulder dystocia is a delivery emergency. Once the baby’s head is born, the shoulders should follow easily. But in dystocia cases, the anterior shoulder gets stuck behind the maternal pubic bone, halting delivery and increasing the risk of oxygen deprivation or excessive force being used.

Risk factors for shoulder dystocia include:

• High birth weight (macrosomia)
• Gestational diabetes
• Obesity in the birthing parent
• Prolonged second stage of labor
• Use of forceps or vacuum extraction
• Prior shoulder dystocia deliveries

Though not always preventable, shoulder dystocia is often predictable. Providers are trained to identify high-risk cases during pregnancy and labor. When they fail to do so—or respond improperly during delivery—the consequences can be life-altering.

What Is a Brachial Plexus Injury?

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves running from the spinal cord through the neck, shoulder, and arm. During a shoulder dystocia delivery, these nerves can be stretched, torn, or severed if the baby’s body is pulled with excessive force.

There are several types of brachial plexus injuries:

Erb’s Palsy: Damage to the upper nerves, affecting shoulder and arm movement

Klumpke’s Palsy: Lower nerve damage, often involving hand or wrist paralysis

Neuropraxia: Temporary damage that may heal within weeks

Avulsion: Nerve root torn from the spine—often permanent and disabling

Signs of brachial plexus injury at birth may include:

• Limp or immobile arm
• Weak grip on one side
• Asymmetrical movement
• Lack of Moro (startle) reflex in one arm

Was Your Child’s Birth Injury Preventable?

Not all complications during childbirth amount to malpractice. But when providers:

• Fail to assess known risk factors
• Mismanage labor progress
• Apply excessive traction
• Delay emergency interventions (such as a cesarean section)
• Or lack training in maneuvers to relieve shoulder dystocia

…the injury may be considered the result of negligence, and legal action could be justified.

OB teams are trained in specific techniques (McRoberts maneuver, suprapubic pressure, Gaskin maneuver) to safely resolve shoulder dystocia. Failure to use these strategies—or using them incorrectly—can lead to liability.

Could Your Child’s Birth Injury Involve Medical Malpractice?

• Did the provider fail to identify risk factors during pregnancy?
• Was a vacuum or forceps used improperly?
• Did the team fail to call for help or escalate to C-section quickly?
• Was excessive force applied during delivery?
• Does your child show signs of nerve damage or limited mobility?
• Were you given vague or conflicting explanations about what happened?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, it may be time to consult a birth injury lawyer in PA with experience in shoulder dystocia cases.



FAQs: Shoulder Dystocia and Birth Injury Lawsuits

Can shoulder dystocia injuries heal on their own?
Some mild injuries (like neuropraxia) resolve within weeks. But others, especially avulsions, can cause permanent disability and may require surgery or ongoing therapy.

How soon should I speak to a lawyer after a birth injury?
Immediately. Early legal involvement helps secure records, expert opinions, and timelines before documentation is lost or altered.

Can I file a claim if my baby wasn’t diagnosed until later?
Yes. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for minors is extended—but don’t wait. The sooner you act, the stronger your case.

What compensation might be available?
You may be entitled to recovery for medical expenses, therapy, assistive devices, emotional distress, loss of future earnings, and lifelong care costs.

Is it the doctor or the hospital who’s liable?
It depends. Both the individual provider and the hospital may share liability depending on how care was managed and who made decisions.

Your Family Deserves Answers—and Accountability

No parent should be left wondering whether their child’s injury could have been prevented. Shoulder dystocia is a serious condition—but it is one that should be recognized and managed properly by medical professionals. If your child was injured due to what you suspect was improper delivery care, the legal team at Frischman & Rizza is here to help you understand your rights and options.

Our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex birth injury cases throughout Pennsylvania. We work with top medical experts to investigate every angle of care and fight for the compensation your child may need to thrive.

Call our Pittsburgh office today at (412) 247-7300 for a free, confidential case review. We’ll provide the compassionate guidance and relentless advocacy your family deserves.