$1.1 Million Settlement in Obstetric Negligence in Shoulder Dystocia Case

During the delivery of Baby Doe, a shoulder dystocia was encountered. That is the medical condition in which a fetus in labor and delivery has a shoulder caught on the pelvis of the mother. An obstetrician in this case performed maneuvers to try to resolve the dystocia.

However, Doe suffered a severe brachial plexus injury that necessitated surgery to repair the nerve avulsion. Brachial plexus injury to the child is the result of the push and tug that often takes place in a should dystocia situation during delivery. The baby’s shoulder and arm nerves are stretched such that permanent damage often occurs to the child’s arm.

Unfortunately, the surgery in this case was unsuccessful. Doe now has partially lost the use of his right arm and hand.

Doe, a minor, through his guardian, sued the obstetrician alleging negligence in the handling of the shoulder dystocia in labor and delivery.

Before trial, the parties settled for $1.1 million.

The attorneys representing Doe and his family were Scott M. Perry, Mikhael D. Charnoff and David Kopstein.

Doe v. Roe Obstetrician, Confidential Docket.

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling birth trauma injury lawsuits, brachial plexus injury cases, cerebral palsy injury cases, labor and delivery negligence lawsuits and brain injury cases for individuals, families and loved ones who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Downers Grove, Wheaton, Carol Stream, Elgin, West Dundee, Carpentersville, Arlington Heights, Highwood, North Chicago, Grayslake, Crystal Lake, Lombard, Oak Brook, Downers Grove, Blue Island, Tinley Park, Romeoville, North Aurora, Wheaton, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, Roselle, Villa Park, Lisle, Darien, Burr Ridge, Chicago (Little Village, Back of the Yards, Logan Square, Bucktown, Mont Clare, Dunning, Irving Park, Albany Park, Rogers Park, Edgewater, Uptown, Bronzeville, Old Town, Near North Side, Near South Side, Chinatown, Greek Town, Little Italy, West Garfield Park), Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Maywood and Bellwood, Ill.

Robert D. Kreisman has been an active member of the Illinois and Missouri bars since 1976.