In years past, expectant mothers and infants often suffered injuries during the birthing process. Today, thankfully many concerns over birth injuries have been alleviated by modern technological advances as doctors and nurses are able to continually monitor the vital signs of both mother and unborn child. In births where complications arise, doctors readily perform Cesarean sections.

In some cases, however, doctors fails to properly monitor either a mother or unborn baby and therefore also fail to recognize when one or both may be in distress and at risk for suffering harm or injury. A 38-year-old mother was recently awarded a medical malpractice settlement in the amount of $13 million dollars related to her daughter's birth injury.

According to the lawsuit, the woman experienced difficulty while attempting to deliver her 8 pound, 8 ounce daughter via a vaginal delivery. The woman asserts doctors are negligent in causing her daughter's birth injury when they used excessive force to dislodge the baby after her arm became stuck in the woman's birth canal.

As a result of the alleged excessive force employed during the girl's delivery, she suffered a permanent and debilitating birth injury. Today, at the age of five-years-old, the little girl has endured multiple surgeries in an attempt to repair her injured arm. She must wear a brace and her arm is disfigured. She will likely require years of ongoing physical therapy sessions to learn how to use and manipulate her injured arm.

A jury recently agreed with the mother that doctors were negligent in failing to perform a C-section and prevent causing the baby harm. Monies awarded via the malpractice lawsuit will help provide for the girl's current and future medical needs.

Source: Michigan Live, "Genesee County jury awards nearly $13 million verdict in birth trauma lawsuit against Genesys," Gary Ridley, Oct. 5, 2013