Was obstetrician aware signs of CPD existed?

Baltimore County (Md) Circuit Court—During labor, an Ob/Gyn encountered arrest of fetal descent. He eventually delivered the fetus using forceps and encountered a shoulder dystocia. The infant suffered a fractured collarbone and a brachial plexus injury, resulting in Erb’s palsy.

The mother asserted there were indications of cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), a condition that warrants a cesarean delivery. The physician contended there were no signs of CPD. The patient’s records, however, contained notes from the defendant indicating there were “clinical indications of CPD with a small mother and a large baby.” He also said shoulder dystocia is a regularly occurring complication of childbirth.

The jury awarded the plaintiff $425,000.

The cases presented here were compiled by Lewis L. Laska, editor of Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts. While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.

Baltimore County (Md) Circuit Court—During labor, an Ob/Gyn encountered arrest of fetal descent. He eventually delivered the fetus using forceps and encountered a shoulder dystocia. The infant suffered a fractured collarbone and a brachial plexus injury, resulting in Erb’s palsy.

The mother asserted there were indications of cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), a condition that warrants a cesarean delivery. The physician contended there were no signs of CPD. The patient’s records, however, contained notes from the defendant indicating there were “clinical indications of CPD with a small mother and a large baby.” He also said shoulder dystocia is a regularly occurring complication of childbirth.

The jury awarded the plaintiff $425,000.

The cases presented here were compiled by Lewis L. Laska, editor of Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts. While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.

Baltimore County (Md) Circuit Court—During labor, an Ob/Gyn encountered arrest of fetal descent. He eventually delivered the fetus using forceps and encountered a shoulder dystocia. The infant suffered a fractured collarbone and a brachial plexus injury, resulting in Erb’s palsy.

The mother asserted there were indications of cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), a condition that warrants a cesarean delivery. The physician contended there were no signs of CPD. The patient’s records, however, contained notes from the defendant indicating there were “clinical indications of CPD with a small mother and a large baby.” He also said shoulder dystocia is a regularly occurring complication of childbirth.

The jury awarded the plaintiff $425,000.

The cases presented here were compiled by Lewis L. Laska, editor of Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts. While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.