A broken collarbone during birth can be a frightening experience for parents. While some newborn fractures occur despite proper medical care, others may result from medical negligence during labor and delivery. When a preventable birth injury occurs, families may have the right to pursue compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Understanding how these injuries happen and what legal options may be available can help families determine their next steps.
What Is a Broken Collarbone Birth Injury?
The collarbone, also called the clavicle, connects the shoulder to the breastbone. It is one of the bones most commonly fractured during difficult births.
A newborn’s bones are still developing, which means they are more flexible than adult bones. However, significant pressure or improper handling during delivery can still cause a fracture. In many cases, the injury heals without long-term complications. In others, the fracture may be more severe or may indicate that mistakes were made during labor and delivery.
Broken collarbones at birth often occur during complicated vaginal deliveries, especially when the baby’s shoulders become stuck in the birth canal.
Common Causes of Broken Collarbones During Birth
Some birth-related fractures are unavoidable. However, a broken collarbone may result from medical negligence if doctors or hospital staff fail to respond appropriately to complications.
Common causes include:
- Shoulder dystocia, when a baby’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pelvic bone
- Improper use of delivery tools, such as forceps or vacuum extractors
- Excessive pulling or twisting of the baby during delivery
- Failure to perform a timely C-section when complications arise
- Improper management of a large baby (macrosomia) during delivery
Medical providers are trained to recognize risk factors and respond quickly when complications occur. If they fail to follow accepted medical standards, the resulting injury may qualify as medical malpractice.
Signs and Symptoms of a Newborn Collarbone Fracture
Parents may not immediately realize their newborn has suffered a broken collarbone. However, certain symptoms can indicate a fracture.
Signs of a birth-related clavicle fracture may include:
- Limited movement in one arm
- Crying or discomfort when the shoulder is moved
- Swelling or bruising near the collarbone
- A noticeable lump or bump near the fracture site
- Asymmetrical arm movement
Doctors often confirm the diagnosis with a physical examination or imaging tests such as an X-ray.
Although many fractures heal within several weeks, the injury may still raise serious questions about whether proper care was provided during delivery.
When a Broken Collarbone May Be Medical Malpractice
Not every birth injury results from negligence. However, medical malpractice may occur when a doctor or healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care.
Examples of potential negligence in birth injury cases include:
- Failing to identify risk factors before delivery
- Not recognizing the signs of shoulder dystocia quickly enough
- Using excessive force during delivery
- Improperly using delivery instruments
- Failing to recommend or perform a necessary C-section
When medical providers fail to follow proper procedures, newborns can suffer preventable injuries. In these cases, families may have grounds to pursue a birth injury claim.
Compensation Available in Birth Injury Lawsuits
Parents who file a medical malpractice lawsuit for a birth injury may be able to recover compensation for a range of damages. These damages are intended to help families manage the financial and emotional impact of the injury.
Potential compensation may include:
- Medical bills related to the injury
- Follow-up medical care and rehabilitation
- Costs of physical therapy or specialized treatment
- Future medical expenses if complications arise
- Pain and suffering experienced by the child
- Emotional distress experienced by the family
The value of a settlement depends on factors such as the severity of the injury, whether permanent complications occurred, and the strength of the evidence showing medical negligence.
Average Settlements for Birth Injury Claims
Settlement amounts in birth injury cases vary widely. Minor fractures that heal quickly may lead to smaller settlements, while cases involving permanent damage or additional complications may result in significantly higher compensation.
Factors that often influence settlement values include:
- The severity of the fracture
- Whether nerve damage or additional injuries occurred
- Long-term medical needs
- The strength of the medical malpractice evidence
- Insurance coverage and policy limits
Because every case is different, it is difficult to estimate a typical settlement value without evaluating the specific facts of a case.
Contact the Atlanta Birth Injury Lawyers at Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers for Legal Help
A broken collarbone at birth can leave families with difficult questions about what went wrong during delivery. If you believe medical negligence may have caused your child’s injury, it may be possible to pursue compensation.
Contact Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with an Atlanta birth injury attorney.
We proudly serve in Fulton County.
Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers
2 Ravinia Dr NE Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30346