William V. Johnson of Johnson & Bell, Ltd. obtained a verdict in favor of a major Chicago medical center and its obstetrician following a week-long jury trial. Plaintiff sought damages in excess of $4 million. The birth injury lawsuit arose out of allegations that a 1996 birth at the medical center was handled inappropriately, leaving the child, now age 14, with a brachial plexus injury in the left shoulder and arm. The plaintiff argued that the obstetrician and a resident in training were negligent with respect to maneuvers utilized to relieve a shoulder dystocia that occurred during the child's birth. As a result of the inappropriate traction on the baby's head during delivery, plaintiff alleged certain nerves near the baby's spine were stretched or partially torn, resulting in the birth injury. Defense argued that the physicians utilized the appropriate maneuvers to alleviate the shoulder dystocia, and the jury was shown a videotape created by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists which matched the maneuvers utilized by the obstetricians. After an hour of deliberations, the jury returned a defense verdict. Mr. Johnson was assisted at trial by Matthew L. Johnson.
About Johnson & Bell
Clients rely on Johnson & Bell to defend their interests in court. Since 1975, we have developed a reputation for providing legal counsel that accomplishes our clients’ business objectives. Building on a track record of success handling major catastrophic personal injury cases, Johnson & Bell continues to represent numerous clients across a broad array of business concerns. We work with clients to mediate, settle or litigate their business issues. In addition, our lawyers represent clients in a wide range of commercial transactions and commercial litigation in both State and Federal court, locally and throughout the country.
