In the News

New Canaan Family Awarded $1.8 Million In Birth Trauma Case Against Stamford Doctor

November 22, 2004

STAMFORD – There will be no appeal in a medical malpractice case against at Stamford doctor that left an infant with life-long shoulder and arm injuries. A jury award of $1.757 million will stand, the lawyer representing the plaintiff in the case said today.

Gabrielle Turner of New Canaan will suffer permanent injuries as a result of excessive force being applied to her head and neck during her birth on September 10, 1996, according to a lawsuit filed by her parents, Gretel and Stephen C. Turner of New Canaan.

Stamford doctor Lisa Dishongh and Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates of Stamford, P.C., “failed to adequately and properly assess” the mother during her pregnancy and, at the time of the child’s birth, “applied excessive pressure” to the infant and “improperly performed standard maneuvers designed to ensure safe delivery of the infant.”

Since her birth, Gabrielle, who faces permanent shoulder damage as well as injury to her left arm and hand, has undergone corrective surgery and more than 250 therapy sessions, according to the family’s attorney, James D. Horwitz of Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder.

Atty. Horwitz said that Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates and Dr. Dishongh had filed a motion to set aside the jury’s verdict. The motion was to be heard in Stamford Superior Court today. However, they rescinded the motion and elected not to appeal the case.

“When Gabrielle was born at Stamford Hospital,” Atty. Horwitz said, “her head appeared but she did not continue emerging normally. At that time, excessive force was used to complete the birth but, unfortunately, that force resulted in permanent injury.”

A Stamford Superior Court jury awarded the family $1.757 million at the conclusion of a six-week trial on October 29, 2004.

Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder has offices in Bridgeport and New Haven. The nationally known law firm has achieved record verdicts for people who suffer serious personal injuries or economic harm from medical malpractice, violation of their civil or constitutional rights, dangerous products, negligence, drunk drivers, corporate or governmental abuse and commercial misconduct.