Ruffin Ex Rel. Sanders v. Boler

The plaintiffs, Tanisha Ruffin, by her mother and next friend, Sonya R. Sanders, and Sonya R. Sanders individually, sued the defendant, Dr. Leo Boler, Jr., for medical malpractice. At the time of Tanisha’s delivery, her shoulder became impacted with Ms. Sander’s pelvic bone, a condition known as shoulder dystocia. At birth, Tanisha was diagnosed with an injury to the brachial plexus nerve network located at the shoulder area.

The plaintiffs’ theory of the case was that Dr. Boler caused Tanisha’s injury by using excessive lateral traction when freeing her impacted shoulder. Dr. Boler’s theory…