Lawyers For Pelvic Injury During Childbirth in San Antonio
Pelvic fractures during childbirth in San Antonio are rare but serious birth injuries that can leave women with chronic pain, permanent disability, and lasting pelvic floor damage. Pelvic bone breaks often occur when doctors ignore clear risks, such as a large baby, a narrow pelvis, or stalled labor, and fail to perform a timely cesarean section. In other cases, excessive force, poor instrument use, or mismanaged delivery techniques lead to serious trauma to the pelvic bones, joints, or nerves. When medical negligence leads to a fractured pelvis during birth, victims have the right to seek compensation.
The San Antonio pelvic fracture injury lawyers at Janicek Law are board-certified in Texas personal injury law and have over 30 years of experience holding negligent professionals responsible.
Call 210-366-4949 to schedule a free consultation.
How Do You Know If Your Pelvis is Too Small to Give Birth Naturally?
You may have a pelvis that’s too small for vaginal delivery if labor does not progress, the baby cannot descend into the birth canal, or vagnial birth complications arise. This condition is called cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD). Risk factors include smaller mothers, prior pelvic fractures, or a history of pelvic floor dysfunction. This is diagnosed through clinical assessment, labor patterns, or imaging.
When doctors fail to recognize or treat CPD, the mother can sustain pelvic trauma, a fractured pelvis, or other childbirth injuries, all of which are potential grounds for medical malpractice claims under Texas law.
Maternal Risk Factors For Pelvic Fractures:
- Small stature or narrow pelvis: Increases risk of pelvic ring disruption, pubic symphysis separation, or unstable fractures.
- Prior pelvic fractures or procedures: Prior pelvic bone fracture or internal fixation raises the risk of reinjury during labor.
- History of pelvic floor dysfunction: Weak support structures raise the likelihood of trauma and pelvic bone fractures.
- Multiple previous pregnancies: Increases strain and is linked to widened pelvis and pelvic floor injuries.
- Osteopenia and Osteoporosis: Low bone density weakens the pelvic bones, making pelvic bone breaks more likely during labor and delivery. Pregnant women with osteopenia or osteoporosis face a higher risk of pelvic fractures during childbirth. Doctors should review medical records during pregnancy to prepare for safe deliveries for pregnant women with these pre-existing conditions.
Pregnancy-Related Risk Factors For Pelvic Fractures:
- Macrosomic (large) baby: Excessive pressure on pelvic bones increases the risk of pelvic fractures.
- Breech or abnormal fetal presentation: Poor fetal positioning raises the risk of pubic symphysis diastasis and trauma.
- Multiple gestation pregnancies: Higher fetal weight and uterine pressure can cause sacral insufficiency and pelvic instability.
- Polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid): Overstretching the pelvic region increases injury risk during vaginal birth.
Labor and Delivery Risk Factors For Pelvic Fractures and Pelvic Floor Damage:
- Precipitous (very rapid) labor: Sudden pressure may result in pelvic bone break or symphysis diastasis.
- Prolonged second stage of labor: Increases risk of trauma, pubic diastasis, and internal fixation surgery.
- Use of epidural anesthesia: Anesthetics may delay symptoms, leading to pelvic floor or nerve injury.
- Instrumental delivery requirements: Improper forceps or vacuum use increases the risk of pubic symphysis separation and pelvic injury.
Can Your Pelvis Break During Childbirth?
Yes, your pelvis can break during childbirth. A pelvic bone break during vaginal delivery is a rare occurrence but causes serious injuries, often involving a fractured pelvis, symphysis pubis separation, or pelvic instability.
Typically, the pelvis breaks due to medical negligence in managing shoulder dystocia or improper use of delivery tools. Women with pre-existing conditions, a history of trauma in the pelvic region, or delivering a large baby face higher risk factors. In most cases, OBGYNs will schedule cesarean sections to prevent pelvic bone fractures.
When doctors fail to identify complications or ignore the need for an emergency c-section, the mother may sustain a fractured pelvis from childbirth, necessitating surgical intervention, physiotherapy (physical therapy), and months of pelvic bone break recovery. If medical negligence contributed to the fractured pelvis, you may be entitled to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing pain.
Contact our maternal pelvic fracture attorneys in San Antonio for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Common Birth Pelvic Bone Fractures Caused By Malpractice in Texas
- Split Pelvis/Open Book Pelvic Fracture/Pelvic Ring Disruption: The front of the pelvis separates at the pubic joint.
- Vertical Shear Pelvic Fracture/Shifted Half of the Pelvis: One side of the pelvis is forced upward, separating it from the rest of the pelvic ring.
- Broken Hip Socket/ Acetabular Fracture: Break in the socket portion of the pelvis where the thigh bone connects.
- Pubic Symphysis Separation: Fracture of the joint in the center front of the pelvis.
- Sacral Fracture: Break in the large triangular bone above the tailbone at the base of the spine.
- Superior Pubic Ramus Fracture: Break in the top part of the front pelvic bone.
- Inferior Pubic Ramus Fracture: Break in the lower portion of the pubic bone near the groin.
- Fractured SI Joint/Sacroiliac Joint Fracture/SI Joint Disruption: Break or separation at the joint where the sacrum connects to the iliac bone.
- Broken Iliac Crest/Iliac Wing Fracture: Break in the wide, upper portion of the pelvic bone.
- Ischial Fracture: Break in the lower rear part of the pelvis that bears weight while sitting.
- Broken Tailbone/Coccyx Fracture: Break in the small bone at the base of the spine below the sacrum.
- Pelvic Avulsion Fracture/Traction Fracture: A piece of bone is pulled off by a tendon or ligament during intense muscle contraction.
- Stress Fracture in the Sacrum/Sacral Insufficiency Fracture: Stress-related break in the sacrum caused by bone weakening or strain (examples: osteoporosis or pregnancy-related bone loss).
Common Birth Trauma-Related Pelvic Injuries in San Antonio
Pelvic Bone Break During Childbirth
Pelvic fractures during childbirth are rare but serious injuries that often result from excessive force, prolonged labor, or failure to perform a timely cesarean section. When a pelvic bone breaks, it may affect the pubic symphysis, sacroiliac joints, pubic rami, or sacrum. Pelvic bone fractures happen when doctors ignore pregnancy risk factors, like fetus size, a narrow pelvis, or pre-existing conditions, like osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Pelvic bone breaks have a major effect on women’s health. Some victims need internal fixation, external fixation, or extended physical therapy. If medical malpractice caused or contributed to a pelvic bone fracture during childbirth, a San Antonio pelvic bone fracture lawyer from our team can help file a birth injury malpractice claim to recover compensation.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse during childbirth may involve bladder prolapse (cystocele), uterine prolapse, rectal prolapse (rectocele), or vaginal vault prolapse following hysterectomy. It often results from medical negligence during delivery. More serious cases require surgery or ongoing pelvic floor therapy.
Separated Pelvis After Giving Birth / Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction
Separated pelvis after giving birth, also known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) or pubic symphysis diastasis, occurs when the joint connecting the left and right sides of the pelvis widens excessively during labor. Pubic symphysis diastasis can happen when doctors fail to monitor larger fetuses, use excessive force, or ignore pre-existing conditions. In severe cases, women may require physical therapy, use of a pelvic binder, or surgical stabilization. If linked to medical negligence, it may support a medical malpractice claim.
Pelvic Hematoma
Pelvic hematomas during childbirth occur when blood vessels are ruptured due to forceful delivery, long labor, or improper use of delivery instruments. If left untreated, it may lead to swelling, severe pelvic pain, infection, or pressure on nearby organs. When physicians fail to identify or manage a pelvic hematoma, it may form the basis of a medical malpractice claim.
Pelvic Floor Issues After Birth
Torn or Detached Pelvic Muscles: When doctors fail to prevent or repair pelvic floor muscle avulsion during vaginal birth, the muscles that support the pelvic organs can tear or detach.
Bladder or Bowel Leaks After Delivery: When doctors fail to treat pelvic nerves or sphincters damaged in delivery, mothers may suffer urinary or fecal incontinence that may require operative treatment
Severe Vaginal Tears That Don’t Heal: Unrepaired or improperly treated third- or fourth-degree tears can result in permanent perineal injuries, incontinence, infections, and worsening pelvic floor dysfunction.
Pelvic Floor Nerve Damage Causing Pain, Numbness, or Sexual Dysfunction: Nerves in the pelvic region may be compressed, overstretched, or severed due to negligence during birth.
Pelvic Floor Collapse After Delayed C-Section: If a cesarean section is not performed in time during obstructed labor, pressure can cause irreversible damage to the pelvic floor.
Pelvic Nerve Damage After Childbirth
Pudendal Nerve Injury and Sacral Nerve Root Injury: Often caused by mismanaged vaginal delivery, prolonged labor, or medical errors in epidural anesthesia.
Femoral Nerve Injury and Obturator Nerve Injury: Linked to medical negligence in leg positioning. Mother suffers from thigh weakness, groin pain, reduced mobility, and difficulty walking.
Sciatic Nerve Compression and Lumbosacral Plexus Injury: Linked to shoulder dystocia, fetal malposition, or excessive traction.
Sacroiliac Joint Injuries
Sacroiliac Joint Widening: An abnormal widening or joint shifting that occurs when doctors perform delivery techniques improperly or delay cesarean sections.
Sacroiliac Sprain: Overstretching or tearing of the supporting ligaments during long labor or aggressive positioning, such as the McRoberts maneuver.
SI Complex Fracture – Direct trauma to the joint or surrounding pelvic bones, typically from macrosomic birth, shoulder dystocia, or failure to recognize symptoms of CPD.
Inflammatory Sacroiliitis and Nerve Compression: Occurs from failure to recognize or respond to joint trauma during labor and delivery, resulting in nerve compression, radiating pelvic pain, and ongoing pain or discomfort in the back, hips, or legs.
Pelvic Instability Syndrome: When physicians don’t provide a diagnosis or medical care for delivery-related sacroiliac injuries, the patient will suffer joint looseness, misalignment, and persistent instability in the pelvic region.
Mispositioned Pelvic Mesh or Implant
Improperly placed pelvic mesh or implants used to repair pelvic floors after childbirth cause severe pelvic pain, nerve compression, and dyspareunia. This generally requires surgical hardware removal or years of physiotherapy. If a surgeon placed pelvic mesh after delivery without informed consent, failed to monitor complications, or used the wrong technique, a San Antonio pelvic mesh injury lawyer can help victims file a medical malpractice claim and recover compensation for medical care, chronic pelvic pain, and other losses.
Ischial Spine Trauma
Ishial spine trauma, also called deep pelvic bruising, sitting bone trauma, or internal pelvic pain, is an extremely painful birth injury that occurs in pregnant women with difficulty delivering. These small fractures happen when OBGYNs use too much force, improperly use delivery maneuvers, or fail to manage known risk factors. Our San Antonio childbirth pelvic fracture attorneys can file a medical malpractice claim when the childbirth injury results in chronic pelvic pain, mobility issues, or requires extensive medical attention.
Tailbone Fracture During Childbirth
A coccyx break or tailbone fracture during childbirth can occur during deliveries when too much force is placed on the pregnant woman’s spine. This birth injury typically happens when doctors don’t recognize risk factors, like larger fetuses or osteoporosis. Our San Antonio pelvic fracture lawyers can help victims pursue compensation if the fractured pelvis was caused by medical negligence, such as improper use of maneuvers, failure to offer a cesarean section, or ignoring signs of instability in the pelvic area.
Common Causes of Pelvic Fractures During Labor and Delivery in Texas
Excessive Force During Delivery: When doctors apply excessive force using the Kristeller maneuver (pushing hard on the mother’s stomach to move the baby down), vacuum, forceps, the mother can sustain a pelvic bone fracture, pubic symphysis separation, or other serious injury. These actions increase the risk of unstable pelvic fractures and long-term trauma, especially when recovery requires open reduction or external fixation.
Prolonged Labor and Delivery: When progression doesn’t occur in the second stage of labor, the baby’s head can push against the pelvic region for too long. When doctors don’t perform cesarean sections in time, mothers can sustain pelvic bone fractures, chronic pelvic pain, or pelvic floor damage that affects mobility and recovery.
Negligent Patient Positioning: Using forced lithotomy positioning (lying flat on the back with legs in stirrups for a long time), the McRoberts maneuver (pulling the mother’s legs up toward her shoulders to make more room in the pelvis), or frequent position changes during labor without care can place strain on the pelvic region. Mother may suffer symphysis pubis diastasis, sacroiliac joint injury, or nerve damage requiring physiotherapy.
Medical Errors in Brachial Plexus Management: Medical errors are common when doctors are negligent in maneuvers to reposition the baby’s shoulder. This contributes to pelvic fractures, nerve damage, and permanent birth injuries.
Inadequate Assessment and Monitoring: When the baby is too big to fit through the birth canal, this puts the mother at risk of her pelvis breaking, birth canal trauma, and serious childbirth injuries that could have been prevented with proper medical care.
Long-term Complications for Mothers Suffering A Fractured Pelvis From Childbirth
Perineal Tears, Vaginal Tears, Rectovaginal Fistulas, and Episiotomy Complications
Severe tears or medical errors during episiotomies can lead to permanent injuries, infection, or rectovaginal fistulas. These injuries often result from excessive pressure, misused delivery tools, or failure to identify and treat trauma during birth.
Nerve Damage, Loss of Sensation, and Muscle Weakness/Atrophy
Pelvic nerve injuries, such as pudendal, femoral, or obturator nerve trauma, can occur from prolonged pressure, incorrect positioning, or medical negligence in administering epidural anesthesia. Delayed diagnosis or improper management can worsen outcomes and lead to lasting disability.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) After Pelvic Trauma
DVT may develop when a pelvic fracture or traumatic childbirth causes immobility or vascular injury. If doctors don’t assess risk factors for clotting or provide timely preventive medical care, the clot can travel to the lungs.
Sexual Dysfunction and Painful Intercourse
Unrepaired birth injuries, deep vaginal tears, or nerve damage can cause pain during sex and loss of sensation. When OBGYNS fail to prevent or provide adequate medical care for these childbirth injuries, women can sustain permanent pelvic floor injuries and sexual dysfunction.
Pelvic Fracture Fixation (External Fixation or Internal Fixation)
Pelvic fracture fixation involves stabilizing the broken pelvic bones using either external fixation (pins and frames outside the body) or internal fixation (surgical placement of plates and screws). Women need surgical intervention after a severe pelvic bone break during childbirth, especially when the pelvic fracture is unstable or affects weight-bearing function. In some cases, the trauma or surgical treatment may also cause or worsen a bladder rupture, leading to additional complications requiring catheterization or urologic surgery. When these outcomes result from medical errors in childbirth or delayed treatments, patients may have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Birth Injuries Caused By Pelvic Injury-Related Medical Negligence
Brachial Plexus Injuries: When shoulder dystocia mismanagement contributes to nerve damage, arm paralysis, or disability, families may pursue Erb’s palsy claims in San Antonio.
Infant Fractures: When excessive force is used in vaginal deliveries, the newborn can suffer fractures. We are skilled in navigating clavicle, humerus, and infant skull fracture claims in San Antonio.
Cranial/Brain Trauma: Birth trauma can cause intracranial hemorrhage, swelling, and neurological impairment. A brain injury claim in San Antonio may be filed when a baby’s injuries result from medical negligence during labor and delivery.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Excessive pressure or medical negligence during childbirth can merit a spine damage claim in San Antonio when medical errors result in a baby’s spine injury.
Oxygen Deprivation Injuries: When doctors fail to respond to fetal distress, a lack of oxygen can cause lasting brain injuries. We handle hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy claims, cerebral palsy claims, and developmental delays caused by delivery negligence.
Facial and Cranial Nerve Injury: Excessive pressure during delivery can result in facial nerve palsy and asymmetric facial movement. These injuries can often be prevented and are grounds for lawsuits in many cases.
Soft Tissue and Internal Injuries: Excessive force during vaginal deliveries can result in facial trauma or organ damage claims in San Antonio when the baby suffers from medical negligence at birth.
Respiratory Injuries: Respiratory distress and meconium aspiration syndrome claims in San Antonio often arise when doctors fail to perform emergency C-sections or make other medical errors during labor.
Neonatal Seizures and Neurological Instability: Parents may file preventable seizure, abnormal reflex, or floppy infant claims in San Antonio for neurological injuries caused by negligent medical care.
Broken Pelvis Recovery and Pelvic Floor Treatment in Texas
Broken Pelvis Treatment:
Pelvic bone fracture recovery after childbirth often involves orthopaedic surgeries. Women with a fractured pelvis often require surgical stabilization through internal or external fixation. In less severe cases, conservative treatments can include pelvic binders, bed rest, pelvic pain management, physical therapy or physiotherapy, and aids for mobilization, such as walkers.
Depending on the severity, pelvic bone break recovery can take two to six months or more, with many patients returning to work after six months, depending on weight-bearing ability.
Medical expenses for a broken pelvis after childbirth can range from $75,000 to over $300,000, depending on the severity of the birth injury, need for surgical intervention (internal fixation or open reduction), and follow-up care including physical therapy and revision operative treatments. This doesn’t include lost wages, childcare costs, assistive equipment, or chronic pain management, which may further increase expenses and strengthen the grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Pelvic Floor Treatment:
Pelvic floor treatment after childbirth-related trauma can cost between $15,000 and $75,000 or more, especially when the pelvic floor injury involves muscle tearing, nerve injuries, or permanent pelvic floor dysfunction. Patients often require multiple forms of medical care, including physiotherapy or physical therapy, urogynecological treatment, chronic pain management, and in severe cases, orthopaedic surgery to repair the damage. While the number of physiotherapy sessions varies depending on the injury sustained, most healthcare professionals advise 30-50 sessions, and many insurers limit the number of covered visits. Additionally, women with severe pelvic floor injuries are often unable to work for 3 months to a year.
These limitations, combined with medical expenses and permanent pelvic floor issues like dyspareunia, incontinence, or mobility loss, may support a claim for compensation in cases involving medical negligence during delivery.
How Our Lawyers Help With Broken Pelvis Injury Claims in San Antonio
Texas Pelvic Fracture Settlements and Trial Awards in Medical Malpractice Claims
Compensation for pelvic fracture malpractice claims often covers medical expenses, surgical treatment, physical therapy, lost wages, and long-term disability. Settlement amounts vary based on injury severity, need for fixation, and whether complications occurred. In severe childbirth injury claims, trial awards may reach six or seven figures, especially when permanent mobility loss or organ damage is involved.
Texas Pelvic Fracture Death Claims
What is the leading cause of death in pelvic fractures? Uncontrolled hemorrhage from vascular injury is the most common reason, particularly when diagnosis or treatment is delayed during childbirth. In maternal cases, failure to stabilize bleeding can result in rapid deterioration. Death 3 days after pelvic fracture is most likely to be due to sepsis, thromboembolism, or internal bleeding that went undetected or untreated. Our San Antonio fatal injury lawyers can determine whether medical negligence played a direct role in the fatal outcome and take legal action to recover full compensation for the family.
Statute of Limitations for Childbirth Pelvic Fracture Claims in San Antonio
Under Texas law, patients generally have two years from the date of injury or discovery to file a childbirth malpractice lawsuit. However, delays in diagnosis, ongoing treatment, or cases involving minors may extend this timeline. Failure to file within the time frame typically bars the right to seek compensation, so it’s crucial to consult a San Antonio OBGYN malpractice attorney quickly.
For a free consultation, contact our law firm by calling 210-366-4949 or filling out our online contact form.
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