Shoulder Dystocia Attorneys in Hartford
Comprehensive Legal Guidance for Families After a Shoulder Dystocia Diagnosis in Hartford, CT
If your baby suffered shoulder dystocia during delivery in Hartford or elsewhere in Connecticut, you may be wondering whether more could have been done to protect your child.
At RisCassi & Davis, P.C., we represent families whose newborns suffered harm during labor and delivery, including cases involving shoulder dystocia and related birth injuries. We work to handle the legal burdens so you can focus on caring for your child and managing medical appointments. Our attorneys are based in Connecticut and understand the hospitals, healthcare systems, and courts that families here must navigate.
Our firm has represented injured individuals and families since 1955. For more than 70 years, we have focused solely on plaintiffs, never insurance companies, and we bring that commitment to every birth injury matter we handle.
Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how our shoulder dystocia attorney in Hartford, CT, can support your family. Call (860) 245-2412 to begin. There are no fees unless we win!
What Is Shoulder Dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia occurs when, after the baby’s head is delivered, one or both shoulders become stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone. It is a delivery emergency because the baby may be deprived of oxygen and may suffer physical trauma if the condition is not handled quickly and appropriately.
Common injuries associated with shoulder dystocia can include nerve damage in the neck and shoulder region, fractures, and, in severe cases, brain injury from lack of oxygen. These conditions may require ongoing treatment, therapy, or assistive care and can affect a child’s development and independence.
Some injuries that may be linked to shoulder dystocia include:
Not every shoulder dystocia event is the result of medical negligence. However, problems can arise if the medical team fails to recognize risk factors, uses excessive traction, delays necessary maneuvers, or does not respond quickly to signs of fetal distress. When this happens, a preventable injury may occur.
How We Handle Shoulder Dystocia Cases in Hartford
Once a family reaches out to our firm, our first priority is to hear their story in detail. We take time to learn what happened before, during, and after the delivery, and to understand the medical challenges their child is facing now. From there, we begin a careful, step by step evaluation of whether a claim should be pursued.
We handle shoulder dystocia cases with the following methods:
- Medical record review: Our attorneys obtain and review prenatal records, labor and delivery notes, operative reports, and neonatal intensive care records when applicable.
- Medical and technical professionals: We work with medical and technical professionals to evaluate whether accepted standards of obstetrical and neonatal care were followed.
- Identifying responsible parties: If the evidence suggests negligent care contributed to your child’s injury, we identify the individuals or entities that may be responsible, including physicians, nurses, and hospital systems.
- Evaluating long-term needs: We consider current and future needs, including medical care, therapy, mobility aids, educational support, and lost earning capacity when appropriate.
- Trial-ready preparation: We prepare each case as though it may proceed to trial, helping strengthen negotiations with hospitals and insurers while ensuring the claim is fully developed if it reaches a jury.
- Managing communications: A Hartford shoulder dystocia attorney can handle communications with insurance companies and defense counsel while keeping your family informed about your case.
Why Families Choose Our Shoulder Dystocia Lawyer in Hartford
Parents facing a possible birth injury case need more than general legal knowledge. Shoulder dystocia claims often involve complex questions about obstetrics, fetal monitoring, emergency maneuvers, and long-term medical care. Families in the Hartford area turn to us because we have the resources and litigation experience needed to take on hospitals and insurance carriers in these challenging cases.
Other reasons families choose us include:
- Significant recoveries: Our firm has recovered more than half a billion dollars for clients in Connecticut.
- Board-certified trial lawyers: Seven of our attorneys are board-certified trial lawyers. This means they have in-depth training and experience to support you.
- Recognized experience: Our attorneys have received recognition from organizations including Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers®, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, and more.
- Personalized attention: We provide dedicated, tailored care based on your family’s circumstances and legal needs.
- Statewide availability: We can travel anywhere in Connecticut to meet with families and discuss their cases.
We never represent insurers or large corporations. Our entire practice is devoted to injured people and their families. Within the firm, our attorneys collaborate closely, sharing insight and strategies on complex medical and legal issues. For a family dealing with a shoulder dystocia injury, this means you have an entire team working together to protect your child’s future, not just one lawyer working in isolation.
Talk With Our Shoulder Dystocia Injury Team in Hartford
If your child was injured during a shoulder dystocia delivery in the Hartford area or elsewhere in Connecticut, you do not have to navigate the medical and legal questions alone. Speaking with our team can help you understand what happened, whether you may have a claim, and what resources might be available for your child’s future.
To speak with a shoulder dystocia attorney Hartford families can turn to for help, call (860) 245-2412 or contact us online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if shoulder dystocia was malpractice?
Determining malpractice usually requires a detailed review of medical records and input from medical professionals. We compare what occurred in your delivery to accepted standards of care. If the team failed to act reasonably and that failure caused injury, a legal claim may be appropriate.
How much does a shoulder dystocia case cost me?
We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay attorney’s fees upfront and you do not owe fees unless there is a recovery. There can be costs associated with gathering records and consulting professionals, which we typically advance and address as part of the case resolution.
Why choose a Hartford birth injury law firm?
Working with a firm based in Connecticut means you have attorneys who understand state law, local procedures, and courts in and around Hartford. Our firm has been advocating for injured families here for more than 70 years. We are accessible for in person meetings and can travel across the state when needed.
