Carol L. Forte, partner at the New Jersey personal injury law firm Blume Forte, obtained a $682,500 NJ birth injury settlement on behalf of a young girl who suffered a brachial plexus injury during birth as the result of a negligently and inappropriately resolved shoulder dystocia.
Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone. When this happens, the obstetrician and/or midwife are expected to employ specific maneuvers to free the trapped shoulder to prevent a brachial plexus injury. Not using those maneuvers or exerting excessive force while trying to free the shoulder and deliver the baby can cause the brachial plexus nerves in the neck and shoulder to stretch and even tear. The brachial plexus nerves control movement of the shoulder, arm, wrist, and hand. An injury to these nerves may result in the permanent loss or limitation of the use of the shoulder, arm, wrist and hand, also referred to as Erb’s and Klumpke’s Palsies.
In the case Ms. Forte handled, the obstetrician exerted excessive force on the baby during delivery, which resulted in a permanent brachial plexus injury. The damage not only caused the limited function of the girl’s shoulder, arm, and hand, but also a physical deformity.
At Blume Forte, our dedicated New Jersey brachial plexus injury lawyers have years of experience in handling meritorious birth injury claims against negligent doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers. If your child suffers from Erb’s Palsy or another condition as the result of a birth injury, contact us to learn more about your legal rights and potential options at 973-845-4421.