Nerve Damage Lawsuit: Jury Awards Millions

A jury has awarded $18.2 million to a mother and son in a medical negligence lawsuit against WakeMed and its medical staff. The case centers on permanent nerve damage and disability sustained by Naqah Lake, now 6, during his birth in September 2019. His mother, Laurel Browne, alleged that a doctor's actions during labor, specifically rotating his head before delivery when his shoulder was stuck, caused severe brachial plexus nerve damage.

Naqah was born without breathing and required NICU care for nine days, later diagnosed with Erb's palsy. This condition results in permanent weakness and disfigurement in his left arm, requiring assistance with daily activities. Although the jury found negligence by Dr. Tara Brenner, the $18.2 million verdict, comprised of $2.2 million for economic damages and $16 million for non-economic damages, is expected to be reduced. North Carolina law limits medical malpractice payouts to $712,847 unless gross negligence is established, a finding the jury did not make.