$700,000 Settlement for Brachial Plexus Birth Injury

A six-year-old Camden County girl, whose arm was left partially paralyzed as a result of an Erb’s Palsy brachial plexus injury, will receive a $700,000 settlement arising out of medical care provided by her mother’s OB/GYN at the time of her birth. During the delivery, a shoulder dystocia occurred and it was contended that the physician used excessive traction in delivery of the shoulders, resulting in stretching and tearing of the brachial plexus. Had excessive traction been avoided, the delivery could have been performed without permanent injury by utilizing atraumatic maneuvers designed to safely free an impacted shoulder.

The Erbs Palsy injury effected the C-5, C-6 and C-7 nerve roots, and the girl needed orthopedic surgery to increase her range of motion in the affected arm. She will also likely require ongoing physical therapy. Blume Donnelly partner Michael Zerres resolved the case on behalf of the family.