If a baby is caught for too long, the baby can suffer irreversible brain damage or even die. If the manoeuvres are delayed, not performed correctly or too much force is used to deliver the baby, nerve damage can result.

Shoulder dystocia can lead to a range of serious injuries to both mother and baby. Mothers may experience postpartum hemorrhage and/or severe tears. If the baby is not delivered quickly, brain damage can occur, which frequently results in cerebral palsy.

Babies may also suffer fractures to their clavicle or humerus bones, or experience damage to the brachial plexus nerves (the nerves running from the spine to the arms). There are two primary types of brachial plexus injury: Erb’s palsy, which can cause paralysis of the arm and Klumpke palsy, which can result in hand deformities.

Babies who suffer brachial plexus injuries can lose muscle control of their arm or hand, experience full-arm paralysis and have difficulty crawling and sitting up. In many cases, treatment requires numerous medical procedures and the use of costly orthopedic braces and other therapeutic appliances. Our Toronto-based lawyers have helped parents across Canada get financial help for children with disabilities related to shoulder dystocia.