$585,000 Settlement for Infant's Brachial Plexus Injury

$585,000 awarded to an infant who suffered a brachial plexus injury during birth due to shoulder dystocia, a complication that occurs during the birthing process when an infant’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pubic bone. Plaintiff argued the doctor committed medical malpractice by not acknowledging risk factors which included a large baby (9 lb., 2 oz.), a prolonged labor and a pregnancy of 41 weeks. Opting not to perform a cesarean section could have avoided the unnecessary injury. The child suffered a mild Erb’s palsy injury which led to a slightly dropped shoulder and mild arm weakness.