A North Carolina family has been awarded $18.2 million in a medical malpractice verdict against WakeMed Raleigh Campus Hospital after a doctor's actions during childbirth allegedly led to permanent injuries for their son, Naqah Lake.
Lake, who was 6 years old at the time of the verdict, and his mother, Laurel Browne, received the payout after a jury determined that Dr. Tara Brenner, an obstetrics and gynecology physician, used improper maneuvers during the 2019 delivery. According to attorneys for the family, Lake became stuck in the birth canal, and the maneuver performed, known as fetal vertex rotation, involved rotating the baby's head while his shoulder remained impacted. This allegedly caused permanent damage to the brachial plexus, a network of nerves extending from the spinal cord to the arm.
Attorneys stated that two of the five nerves connecting to Lake's spinal cord were torn, and a third was partially ripped, resulting in lifelong weakness in his left arm, shoulder, and hand. Lawyers representing the family, from Grant & Eisenhofer, argued that Brenner deviated from the standard of care and that the permanent injury could have been avoided.
The 12-person jury unanimously found the hospital and the resident physician negligent and awarded damages. The verdict included $2.2 million for economic damages and $16 million for non-economic damages, marking what attorneys called the largest award of its kind for a brachial plexus injury.
Lawyers for the family highlighted that despite the significant financial award, Lake will face ongoing challenges. These include difficulties with everyday activities such as opening containers, eating, and potentially driving or participating in sports requiring two hands later in life. They expressed gratitude to the jury for holding the hospital accountable for the lifelong disability.
WakeMed Raleigh Campus Hospital and Dr. Tara Brenner have been reached for comment, according to reports.