This page is about expected jury payouts and settlement amounts for birth injury lawsuits.
Our birth injury lawyers handle these lawsuits in all 50 states. Our goal is to maximize our client’s compensation payout for the needless harm their child has suffered. If you want a caring birth injury attorney who will fight for you and your child, call our law firm today at 800-553-8082.
How Is the Settlement Amount of a Birth Injury Lawsuit Calculated?
The settlement value of birth injury cases is a function of two variables:
- most likely average or median verdicts; and
- chance of success at trial.
This formula is historically the best way to evaluate a claim. A simple example might be an expected average verdict in the case of $40 million with a 50% chance of winning. Roughly, the expected settlement amount for that case would be slightly less than $20 million.
Why would the settlement amount be less than the amount the average verdict statistically? Ultimately, victims in a birth injury lawsuit will occasionally take a small discount off of this formula. This is because they only have one claim and do not want to risk a verdict. How much of a discount? That is a decision for the parents. A birth injury lawyer can make a recommendation. But the parents decide whether to settle or go to trial.
Is Our Case Capped by Our State’s Cap on Pain and Suffering Damage?
Your jury payout or settlement amount is not capped at your state’s non-economic damages cap. Most stateshave malpractice caps that place a limit on non-economic damages. But economic damages in birth injury cases, past and future medical care, future lost wages, and other economic damages projected over a lifetime are rarely capped. Those damages in serious injury birth cases can exceed $100 million.
What Are Economic Damages?
A critical part of the evaluation of understanding economic damages is to first understand a rather counterintuitive idea.
In most states, there is a law called the collateral source rule. The important part to understand about this concept is that a jury is not told any future medical expenses or costs will be or have been paid by health insurance.
The purpose is for the jury to give an award assuming that all of the future costs of caring for the child will be borne by the parents (and, eventually, by the child). Some possible future expenses may include medical expenses, rehabilitation, and therapy, specialized medical equipment, specially equipped vehicles, long-term assisted living centers, and in-home care.
Plaintiffs’ birth injury lawyers will hire an expert to produce a Life Care Plan, sometimes called a Cost of Future Care or a Future Care Assessment. The report accounts for the medical recommendations and opinions from the doctors and medical specialists and then estimates all of the future medical expenses for the child.
The key is having the proper and necessary information to project the annual life care plan costs. The life care planner computes the costs of medications, therapy, doctors’ visits, attendant care, counseling, transportation, future lost wages, replacement services, housing, and ant other possible expenses.
These expenses are computed for a long period. Our labor and delivery lawyers also consult with an economist who can testify at trial using a formula consistent with the correct inflation rate to calculate the present value of those future costs.
These costs are just incredible. Our most recent Life Care Plan very conservatively calculated the present value of all of those costs at over $50 million. Obtaining the care that your child needs is impossible without having significant resources.
A birth injury settlement will assist in providing these resources to your child and your family. If your child has been hurt because of a mistake made by a doctor, your child richly deserves every possible support to have the best imaginable life. Many of these kids go on to lead valuable lives despite overwhelming obstacles. But the money to put your child in the best possible situation is a huge help to push your child to that valuable life.
What Is the Average Birth Injury Settlement?
Because you care so much about your child, you will have the desire to identify the trial or settlement value of your child’s case. The average birth injury compensation, settlement, or verdict, for a lawsuit involving a child with a brain birth injury is just over $1.03 million.
One thing to remember is that this average birth injury settlement does not tell you much information. There is no birth injury calculator where you punch in numbers and get a payout. There are many factors and circumstances involved in each case. Each child will have a different outcome from the birth injury.
First, a brain injury is a relative term. Many of the battles in these cases involve legitimate issues as to the extent of the injury the child suffered from the alleged negligence of the doctor. Herein there lies the problem with trying to lump all of these childbirth injury cases together. Similarly, there are many cases with significant damages.
Ultimately, there are many different types of birth injury cases. If you are seeking information on settlements and verdicts, you want to concentrate on the specifics of that harm. Below you can find sample settlement and verdicts based on the type of injury, the mechanism of injury, and the type of medical malpractice:
Example verdicts and settlements do not give you an average birth injury settlement. But they do help you better understand the possible range of values for specific types of birth injury cases.
Our firm has more birth injuries lawsuits our attorneys would love to post here. But these defense lawyers are becoming more draconian with the confidentiality on their releases. This is one issue we cannot stand firm. Our lawyers are not going to jeopardize a child’s birth injury settlement so our lawyers can brag about them later.
National Birth Injury Settlement/Verdicts
- 2024, Michigan: $120 Million Verdict. A pregnant woman at 39-and-a-half weeks went to the hospital for delivery. Pretty quickly, concern developed over the baby’s reduced oxygen levels, attributed to umbilical cord compression—a situation demanding swift medical response to avert severe risks to the infant’s health. The attending obstetrician determined an urgent need for a Cesarean section. But it was not until several hours had passed that the C-section was done. The newborn suffered from asphyxiation at birth, leading to irreversible brain damage that developed into severe cerebral palsy, widespread developmental delays, and a seizure disorder. The mother hired a birth injury lawyer, who filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for all the medical and other expenses and the enormous pain and suffering. The jury wanted to help and awarded the family $120 million.
- 2023, Maryland: $13.3 Million Verdict. A pregnant woman entered the Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in 2004 for labor induction. Her labor was augmented with Pitocin, a drug commonly used to stimulate contractions. Over an arduous 17-hour labor, she experienced high blood pressure and the fetal heart monitor displayed alarming irregularities – red flags that were not appropriately addressed by the medical team. A crucial cesarean section, which could have ensured the well-being of the child, was delayed. As a result, the newborn suffered a brain hemorrhage that led to irreversible brain damage and subsequent cognitive disability. The attending physician and the nursing staff were held responsible for negligent medical practices, including improper administration of Pitocin and overlooking clear symptoms of fetal distress during labor.
- 2023, New Jersey: $2.7 Million Settlement. The lawsuit alleged that the alleged the hospital delivery team provided substandard care when a necessary c-section was delayed despite signs of fetal distress and a possible uterine rupture. As a result, the infant suffered loss of oxygen and metabolic acidosis leaving him with permanent injuries. The mother also suffered post-delivery sepsis from a uterine rupture which left her unable to bear more children. Prior to this settlement with the hospital, the claims against OB/GYN defendant were settled for an undisclosed amount.
- 2023, Illinois: $11 Million Settlement. Plaintiff, a now six-year-old boy, was delivered at the defendant hospital in Southern Illinois. Prior to delivery, fetal monitor tracings allegedly showed adverse changes, but the defendant obstetrician opted not to perform a Cesarean delivery but waited for the mother to deliver vaginally, causing a 30-minute delay and ongoing hypoxic-ischemic insults to the plaintiff. The plaintiff suffered hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. The plaintiff argued the obstetrician and the hospital’s labor and delivery nurses failed to provide appropriate care. The defendants initially contested the allegations but later agreed to a settlement.
- 2022, Missouri: $25.3 Million Verdict. Shoulder dystocia was encountered during vaginal delivery. The defendant OB/GYN attempted several maneuvers to facilitate delivery but it took too long and the baby suffered oxygen deprivation. The oxygen loss caused HIE brain damage leaving the baby with a severe form of cerebral palsy, cognitive impairments, fine and gross motor impairment, and no speech ability. The lawsuit alleged that the doctor was negligent in her response to the shoulder dystocia and in failing to properly interpret and respond to warning indicators on the fetal monitoring strips. The jury award was reduced based on Missouri’s damages cap.
- 2020, Tennessee: $15 Million Verdict. An expectant mother presented to an Army hospital. During the last stage of labor, her son was showing signs of fetal distress. The hospital staff attempted a vaginal delivery. When that failed, they performed an emergency C-section. The boy was born with severe brain damage. But it was too late. The loss of oxygen to his brain lead to spastic quadriplegia and severe developmental delays. The boy cannot speak and is now wheelchair-bound. His parents alleged that the Army hospital’s negligence caused these permanent injuries. They claimed its staff improperly monitored the fetal heart rate and failed to timely order a C-section. The child and his family received a $15 million verdict in federal court
- 2018, Maryland: $4.2 million settlement. Defendant OB/GYN and obstetrical nurse were allegedly negligent in failing to promptly and effectively respond to indications of fetal distress during difficult vaginal delivery. Plaintiff’s claimed that this delayed response caused the baby to suffer hypoxic-ischemic brain injuries (HIE). The brain damage left the baby with major developmental delays, cortical blindness, and seizures. Defendants initially denied that they acted negligently and also argued that the baby’s injuries were not a result of any delayed response. The case eventually agreed to a compensation payout of $4.2 million.
- 2018, New York: $34.8 million Verdict. A baby was delivered at 24
weeks and suffered significant brain injuries resulting in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. The malpractice suit alleged that the doctors and hospital staff were negligent in several ways. First, the OB/GYN was allegedly negligent in failing to offer the mother cervical cerclage (aka “cervical stitch) procedure that may have prevented her premature delivery. Plaintiff also accused the defendants of negligence in failing to treat the pregnancy as “high risk” and refer the mother to various prenatal consultations and testing. Defendant denied that they breach the standard of care. A jury in Westchester County awarded $5 million for past pain and suffering, $15 million for future pain and suffering, and another $14 million in economic damages for a total of $20 million in this childbirth injury lawsuit.
- 2017, Florida: $3,075,000 Settlement. Plaintiff is admitted to the hospital for induction of labor. After being admitted, there is a spontaneous rupture of membranes, and the fetal monitor showed decelerations. A vacuum is used to assist in the delivery. After the baby was delivered, there was a delay in calling the NICU team. The baby was later diagnosed with anoxic seizures and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The baby also suffers from spastic CP. The plaintiff filed a claim alleging that the failure to timely delivery of the baby and the failure to have a NICU team ready resulted in the brain injury. The parties settle for $3,075,000.
- 2017, Pennsylvania: $41,651,966 Verdict. Plaintiff is 40 weeks pregnant and admitted to the hospital. The doctor uses forceps on two different occasions to assist in the delivery of the baby. After the delivery, a CT scan revealed the baby had two skull fractures. The baby suffered a cerebellar hemorrhage, post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, and seizures which the plaintiff alleged would require lifelong care, wheelchair use, and other accommodations. The defendants denied that the doctor did not act within the standard of care. In a bench trial, the Judge awarded the plaintiffs $41,651,966.
- 2017, Florida: $33,813,495 Verdict. Plaintiff is admitted to the hospital after her water has broken. The doctor used a vacuum to assist in the delivery because the fetal monitoring strips indicated intermittent decelerations of the heartbeat. Because of the prolonged use of the vacuum, there was decreased blood flow to the baby’s brain. A large subgaleal hematoma developed. These developments caused the baby to suffer sustained extensive hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy causing permanent brain damage. After signing a consent form for a Caesarian section, the plaintiff alleges that the defendant doctor refused to perform the C-section even after the plaintiff requested the procedure. In a bench trial, the judge awarded the child, mother, and father $33,813,495.
- 2017, Florida: $5,000,000 Settlement. Plaintiff is admitted to hospital after labor and contractions begin. The doctor noted to monitor plaintiff closely because of variable decelerations on the fetal heart tracing and recommended that a Caesarian might be necessary if there was not a change. However, the plaintiff was not checked on again for ninety minutes. Shortly after, the baby was delivered vaginally. The baby was diagnosed with several birth-related injuries, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The plaintiff filed a medical malpractice claim against the defendant and the parties agreed to birth injury settlement of $5,000,000.
- 2017, New York: $4,098,267 Verdict. The mother went to the hospital stating that she could no longer feel the fetus moving. Two doctors performed a biophysical profile of the fetus to monitor the heartbeat. If the biophysical profile did not have good results, a Caesarean should be ordered. One doctor found non-reassuring results and the other doctor stated that the fetus was safe. Plaintiff was discharged shortly after. The next day after Plaintiff consulted her obstetrician, a Caesarean was performed and the baby was delivered. The baby suffered a hypoxic injury. Plaintiff contended that the baby would not have suffered the injury if a C-section had been performed on the first day. A jury awarded the child $4,098,267.
- 2017, Pennsylvania: $14,500,000 Verdict. Plaintiff is in labor with her first child and went to the hospital when contractions started. After an evaluation by the doctor, Plaintiff was sent home and told to return after contractions were stronger. Plaintiff returned after four hours. The baby was delivered after complications and was transported to a second hospital. The baby suffered from severe spastic cerebral palsy. Plaintiff alleged negligence by the doctors and hospital staff. The defendants argued that they did not breach the standard of care. A jury awarded the plaintiff $14,500,000.
- 2017, Illinois: $2,000,000 Verdict. Plaintiff is admitted to the hospital for an elective labor induction procedure. During the delivery, the doctor performed a mid pelvic vacuum extraction to deliver the baby’s head. After the delivery, it was found that there was no movement in the baby’s upper right extremity. The infant was diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury. Plaintiff hired a birth injury lawyer who alleged that the doctor was negligent in not checking the position of the shoulders of the baby after the mid pelvis application of the vacuum was performed. The defendants denied that shoulder dystocia was encountered during birth. A jury awarded the plaintiff $2,000,000.
- 2017, Illinois: $2,600,000 Settlement. A 32-year-old plaintiff is admitted to the hospital for the delivery of her third child. Although she had a previous Cesarean, she was attempting a vaginal birth. During labor, the fetal heart monitor began showing abnormal decelerations which indicated fetal distress and oxygen deprivation. The heart rate continued to show signs of distress for over two hours until an emergency C-section was performed. Plaintiff alleges that the lack of monitoring the fetal heart decelerations caused the delay in the decision for the emergency C-section. The baby suffered hypoxia, which resulted in cerebral palsy. The parties settled for $2,600,000.
- 2017, Florida: $290,000 Settlement. Plaintiff is admitted to the hospital while seven months pregnant and labor is induced due to the mother’s gestational diabetes. During the delivery, the nurse midwife used a McRoberts maneuver and Wood’s screw maneuver due to shoulder dystocia. After the delivery, the baby was diagnosed with a left brachial plexus injury. Plaintiff alleged that an improper technique and excessive force was used in causing the injury. This was not a big settlement; the parties settled for $290,000.
- 2017, California: $8,500,000 Settlement. Plaintiff is admitted to the hospital for the delivery of her baby. During the delivery, the baby was deprived of oxygen, which resulted in a severe brain injury. Plaintiff claimed the doctor failed to perform a timely delivery and was negligent in misdiagnosing fetal distress. The parties settle for $8,500,000.
- 2015, Baltimore County, Maryland: $2,000,000 Verdict. Plaintiff, at 33 weeks pregnant, was admitted to the hospital. The doctors had mistakenly determined that the plaintiff was over 36 weeks pregnant. An ultrasound that had been performed 12 days earlier should have led a prudent doctor to realize the baby was premature. This alleged failure to correctly determine the length of pregnancy led to the baby’s development of cerebral palsy. A Baltimore County jury awards $2 million.
- 2015, Baltimore, Maryland $3,000,000. During delivery at the University of Maryland Hospital, a baby girl suffered shoulder dystocia after she became stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone. Her nerve root was torn from her spinal cord, leading to a biracial plexus injury and permanent paralysis of her left arm.
- 2014, Maryland: $1,178,920 Verdict. Plaintiff is admitted to the hospital for the delivery of her baby. During the delivery, the doctor encountered shoulder dystocia. This resulted in a brachial plexus injury. Plaintiff’s birth injury lawsuit alleged that the defendant doctor by using excessive force. The defendant denied deviating from the proper standard of care. The jury awarded $1,300,000 but was later reduced to $1,178,920 under Maryland’s statutory cap on non-economic matters.
- 2014, Maryland: $3,000,000 Verdict. Plaintiff is admitted to the hospital for the birth of her baby. During the delivery, the doctor encountered a shoulder dystocia. The baby suffered a brachial plexus injury resulting in permanent paralysis of the left arm. Plaintiff alleged that excessive pulling caused the injury to the baby. The defendant argued that the injury was caused by natural forces used during labor. A jury awarded the plaintiff $3,000,000.
- 2014, Maryland: $1,700,000 Verdict. Plaintiff is admitted to the hospital at 38 weeks pregnant. During the delivery, the left shoulder of the baby became lodged. The injury resulted in Erb’s Palsy. The family’s birth injury lawsuit alleges that proper birthing techniques were not conducted by the defendant doctor. The defendant argued were was no evidence of negligence. A jury awarded the plaintiff $4,395,000 which was reduced to $1,700,000 due to a miscalculation of lost wages.
Keep in mind, you could have what appears to be the exact same case as the examples above and get a very different settlement compensation payout or jury award. Because no two birth injury lawsuits are the same even when the facts seemingly all line-up.
Getting a Birth Injury Lawyer for Your Family
If your child has suffered a birth injury, call Ron Miller or Laura Zois today. We can talk about your legal options and tell you what you can do.
We have a track record of success in wrongful death and catastrophic injury medical malpractice cases. Our birth injury attorneys may be able to help you and your child get the money you need and deserve to deal with the unbelievable costs of raising your child and the costs associated with providing care for the rest of his or her life.
Call Miller & Zois today and speak to our Maryland birth injury medical malpractice attorneys at 800-553-8082 or get an online case evaluation.