Indianapolis Shoulder Dystocia Attorney

Trusted Legal Representation for Birth Injury Victims in Indianapolis, IN

If your child suffered a birth injury due to shoulder dystocia, and you suspect medical negligence played a role, you may have the right to pursue legal compensation. At The Cline Law Firm, LLC, we help families in Indianapolis hold negligent healthcare providers accountable for preventable injuries. Our skilled Indianapolis shoulder dystocia attorney from our firm is ready to investigate your case, explain your options, and fight for the justice your family deserves.

Contact our trusted Indianapolis shoulder dystocia lawyer at (317) 526-4467 for a free, confidential consultation.

What is Shoulder Dystocia?

Shoulder dystocia is a childbirth complication that occurs when a baby’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery. Although the baby’s head may be delivered, the rest of the body cannot follow easily, requiring immediate medical intervention. This is a critical medical emergency that must be managed quickly and properly to avoid serious or permanent injury to the baby or mother.

Potential consequences of shoulder dystocia include:

• Brachial plexus injury (Erb’s palsy)
• Fractured collarbone or arm
• Oxygen deprivation leading to brain damage
• Maternal hemorrhage or uterine rupture
• Long-term disability for the child

When handled correctly, many instances of shoulder dystocia can be resolved safely. However, when doctors fail to recognize risk factors, use improper delivery techniques, or delay emergency intervention, the results can be catastrophic.

Common Causes of Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia is considered an obstetrical emergency, but it is not always unpredictable. There are several known risk factors that should prompt doctors to plan ahead or consider a cesarean section when appropriate.

Common causes and risk factors of shoulder dystocia include:

• Macrosomia (Large Baby): A baby weighing over 8 pounds, 13 ounces increases the risk of shoulder dystocia.
• Maternal Diabetes: Gestational or pre-existing diabetes can lead to larger-than-average babies.
• Prolonged Labor: A slow or obstructed labor increases the chance of complications like shoulder dystocia.
• Excessive Use of Force: Use of vacuum extractors or forceps, or improper manual traction, can cause injury if not performed carefully.
• Failure to Identify Risk Factors: A physician’s failure to monitor for or respond to known risk factors is a form of negligence.
• Improper Birthing Position or Technique: Obstetricians are trained in specific maneuvers (such as McRoberts maneuver) to dislodge a shoulder safely—failure to perform these may be malpractice.

When shoulder dystocia occurs due to any of the above, and results in injury, it may point to medical negligence. Our team at The Cline Law Firm, LLC can assess medical records, consult with experts, and determine if you have a valid claim.

Who is Liable?

In a shoulder dystocia malpractice claim, liability often falls on the healthcare professionals responsible for prenatal care, labor monitoring, and delivery. This may include:

• Obstetricians: For failing to diagnose risk factors or performing unsafe delivery maneuvers.
• Nurses or Midwives: For delayed communication or failure to escalate care.
• Hospitals or Birthing Centers: For inadequate staffing, poor protocols, or failure to provide emergency support.
• Medical Facilities: When improper training, equipment failures, or systemic issues contributed to the injury.

To succeed in a medical malpractice claim, your attorney must prove that a duty of care was breached and that breach directly caused injury. Our Indianapolis shoulder dystocia lawyers work with obstetrical experts to establish negligence and pursue compensation for your child’s medical expenses, future care needs, and pain and suffering.

Indiana Shoulder Dystocia Claims FAQs

How do I know if my child’s birth injury was caused by shoulder dystocia?
You may have been told about shoulder dystocia in the delivery room or seen signs like bruising, weak arm movement, or a diagnosis of Erb’s palsy. Medical records and an independent review by legal and medical experts can confirm if shoulder dystocia occurred and if it was managed appropriately.

What compensation can I recover in a shoulder dystocia malpractice claim?
You may be able to recover compensation for medical bills (past and future), therapy, special education costs, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more. In some cases, you may also recover for emotional distress and punitive damages.

Is there a statute of limitations for filing a birth injury claim in Indiana?
Yes. In Indiana, medical malpractice claims generally must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. However, for minors, this timeframe may be extended. It’s critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to preserve your rights.

Do I need expert witnesses to file a claim?
Yes. Indiana law typically requires a medical expert to testify that the standard of care was violated. At The Cline Law Firm, LLC, we collaborate with experienced medical professionals to build strong, evidence-backed cases.

How much does it cost to hire a shoulder dystocia lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. We only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you.

Why Choose The Cline Law Firm, LLC?

At The Cline Law Firm, LLC, we understand the emotional and financial toll a birth injury can have on a family. With years of experience handling complex medical malpractice cases in Indianapolis and across Indiana, we are committed to holding negligent medical professionals accountable and helping families find justice.

Our approach includes:

• Thorough case evaluation and expert consultation
• Compassionate client communication
• Aggressive pursuit of full compensation
• No fees unless we win your case

We believe every child deserves a healthy start and every parent deserves answers when that right is taken away. If your family has been affected by shoulder dystocia due to medical negligence, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

Call (317) 526-4467 today or schedule your free consultation online to take the first step.