Attorney Michael B. Zerres of the New Jersey law firm Blume Forte obtained a $1,000,000 settlement on behalf of a five-year old girl who lives with developmental delays as the result of the obstetrician’s failure to perform a timely delivery after the girl’s shoulder became stuck during delivery (“shoulder dystocia”).
Shoulder dystocia occurs when a newborn’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone during delivery after the head has already emerged. Shoulder dystocia is considered an obstetric emergency and requires that obstetricians free the trapped shoulder and complete the delivery in a timely manner in order to prevent further injury including the potential for brain injury. Freeing the trapped shoulder requires that maneuvers, specifically designed to free the shoulder, be utilized without causing further injury.
Medical malpractice can occur during the labor and delivery process. In the case handled by Mr. Zerres, the obstetrician failed to free the newborn’s shoulder and deliver her after 13 minutes, after which another doctor had to free her shoulder and complete the delivery. As a result, the baby suffered birth asphyxia, or not receiving enough oxygen. As a result, she sustained a brain injury and now lives with developmental delays.
At Blume Forte, our experienced NJ shoulder dystocia attorneys have obtained numerous significant settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients whose children suffered birth injuries as the result of careless and negligent acts or omissions by healthcare providers during labor and delivery. If your child has suffered a birth injury, contact Blume Forte to learn more about your legal rights and options at 973-845-4421.