Liro Willer Law, LLC

06/03/2026

A parent recently asked me whether shoulder dystocia can affect a child's vision.
The short answer is: sometimes, but it's uncommon. The good news is that the vast majority of shoulder dystocia deliveries are resolved without permanent vision problems.
However, in some of the more severe shoulder dystocia cases I've handled, vision-related complications have been part of the child's overall injury.
Two conditions that have come up are Horner syndrome and Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI).
Horner syndrome can occur in infants with severe brachial plexus injuries and may cause a drooping eyelid, a smaller pupil on one side, or facial asymmetry.
CVI is different. A child's eyes may appear structurally normal, but an injury to the brain can affect how visual information is processed. Parents may notice difficulties with eye contact, visual tracking, or responding consistently to objects and faces.
Importantly, CVI is not caused by shoulder dystocia itself. Rather, it may occur when a severe shoulder dystocia results in a significant oxygen-deprivation injury to the brain.
These conditions are rare and are generally associated with more significant birth injuries. Most shoulder dystocia deliveries are resolved safely without lasting harm.
I recently wrote an article explaining what Horner syndrome and CVI are, how they can be connected to severe shoulder dystocia cases, and some of the signs families may want to discuss with their child's medical team.
If your child experienced a shoulder dystocia and you've been told they have Horner syndrome, CVI, or another vision-related diagnosis, you're not alone. These conversations can be overwhelming, and getting accurate information matters.
Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and is not medical or legal advice. Every child and every birth is unique. If you have concerns about your child's health, development, or vision, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

The good news is that most children who experience shoulder dystocia will never develop vision problems. However, in some severe birth injury cases, vision-related complications can occur.

05/25/2026

For years, the name PCOS centered the conversation around ovarian “cysts” when many people were actually struggling with a much broader hormonal and metabolic condition.
Now, a global coalition of medical organizations is recommending a transition from PCOS to PMOS: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome.
Why does this matter?
Because many people with PCOS have spent years feeling dismissed, confused, or told their symptoms were unrelated simply because an ultrasound looked “normal.”
This shift reflects something patients have been saying for a long time:
these symptoms are real, connected, and deserving of comprehensive care.
PMOS aims to move the conversation beyond ovarian imaging alone and toward the full picture: hormones, metabolism, ovarian function, fertility, insulin resistance, hair changes, acne, cycle irregularities, and quality of life.
The transition will take time, and many providers and patients will continue using both names during that process.
But for many, this feels like long-overdue recognition that the condition was never just about “cysts.”
Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice.

For nearly a century, millions of individuals showing up at doctors’ offices with a complex web of hormonal, metabolic, and cycle-related issues were handed a single label: Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS).

05/18/2026

It sounds unbelievable, but court-ordered obstetrical interventions have been happening in the U.S. for decades.

Even ACOG has opposed forced medical interventions during pregnancy. Yet some patients report facing emergency hearings, intense pressure, and even threats of CPS involvement after refusing recommended care. Research has also suggested these interventions may occur disproportionately among Black, Hispanic, and non-English-speaking patients.

I wrote a blog exploring the legal history, ethical concerns, systemic disparities, and what the post-Dobbs landscape could mean for maternal autonomy.

Who should have the final say over a patient’s body in the delivery room?

In the quiet, high-stakes environment of a labor and delivery ward, most patients expect their medical decisions to remain their own. But in a small number of cases across the United States, laboring women have found themselves pulled into emergency courtroom proceedings while still in active labor,...

05/11/2026

Some of us are familiar with the ARRIVE trial, which showed that inducing at 39 weeks could be a safe option for many first-time moms. But is that 39-week guideline "drifting" earlier than the science supports?
A new study looking at birth data from 2016 through 2024 shows that while inductions are up across the board, the biggest increase isn't actually at 39 weeks, it’s happening at 37 and 38 weeks.
Our goal is to support informed birth choices. If an induction is recommended before 39 weeks, it’s a great opportunity to ask your provider about the specific medical or obstetrical indications to ensure you're getting the best evidence-based care.

Read more about the "Why the ARRIVE Trial is Moving Beyond 39 Weeks" on the blog!

If you’ve been following birth trends, you’ve likely heard of the ARRIVE trial. While this landmark study provided evidence for elective inductions at 39 weeks, recent data suggests that medical practices are “drifting” into much earlier territory, specifically the 37- and 38-week mark, with...

12/19/2025

I recently went back to speak to law students at a career forum, and so many of them asked the same question:
What should I really be focusing on in law school to set myself up for the future?
They were expecting me to say straight As.
Law review.
Clerkships.
And yes, those things matter. But what genuinely surprised them was my real answer: the most important thing they can work on is building a real human connection.
We’re entering a world where AI is making law firms faster, leaner, and more efficient. Research, drafting, and organization are smoother than ever. But especially in litigation, the heart of the work is still human.
It’s the ability to listen.
To empathize.
To communicate clearly and honestly.
To connect with clients, jurors, and lived experience in a meaningful way.
That ability is what will make these students employable, effective, and valuable. No matter how the technology changes, that part of the profession will always be human.

12/18/2025

We know many Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy cases are unknown or not preventable. My job as a medical malpractice lawyer is to ask the hard question: was this injury one that likely could have been avoided if the standard of care had been met?
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a brain injury caused by inadequate oxygen and/or blood flow to a baby’s brain, which can occur before, during, or after birth. The causes are often complex—sometimes happening without any negligence, and sometimes preventable.
In practice, I’ve seen HIE associated with intrapartum problems such as persistent nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns without timely intervention, or umbilical cord complications (e.g., prolapse, true knot, tight nuchal, sustained compression) that aren’t recognized or acted upon quickly.
Contributing maternal/placental factors—like chorioamnionitis, preeclampsia or severe hypertension, and placental abruption/insufficiency—can increase the risk of hypoxia-ischemia and require closer surveillance.
When clinicians miss critical warning signs or don’t respond appropriately to evolving fetal status (e.g., delayed escalation from intrauterine resuscitation to operative delivery), the consequences can extend far beyond the delivery room.
If you found this helpful, follow for more HIE insights that could make a difference for your family.
Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. This does not constitute legal or medical advice and no attorney-client privilege is being created in any capacity with Liro Willer Law, LLC.