ABC Law Centers Achieves Landmark $19.1 Million Judgment for Birth Injury Victim

Landmark Judgment for Birth Injury

On October 29, 2026, ABC Law Centers achieved a significant legal victory by securing a $19,130,512.90 judgment in a birth injury case, marking a major milestone in their commitment to justice for children affected by medical negligence. This landmark decision was the result of the tireless efforts of their dedicated trial attorneys, including Jesse Reiter, Anne Randall, and James McCullen, alongside attorneys Bronwyn Cargo and Taylor Goodwin. The case revolved around the tragic experiences of Tanisha Bowers and Bryan Kellems, whose son, E.K., suffered devastating injuries at birth due to negligent medical practices.

The Case Background

Tanisha Bowers brought the case against Dr. Leslie Danley, a physician who was employed by the federally funded clinic, Detroit Community Health Connection. Bowers had a history of severe preeclampsia during her first pregnancy, which set the stage for the complications that arose in her second pregnancy. Despite knowing her high-risk status, Dr. Danley failed to take appropriate preventative measures and neglected to diagnose gestational hypertension during the pregnancy. Consequently, Bowers required an emergency cesarean section after being rushed to the hospital, where she experienced a near-total placental abruption just days before her due date.

The immediate aftermath of E.K.’s birth was alarming; he was born with low Apgar scores of 0, 1, 2, and 2 across the typical assessment intervals, indicating severe distress. Most critically, E.K. did not breathe at birth and did not have a heartbeat, signaling a severe hypoxic-ischemic injury that would leave him with permanent disabilities including spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and the necessity for 24/7 skilled nursing care.

The Importance of Accountability

Following their extensive investigation and legal preparation, ABC Law Centers argued that the negligence displayed by Dr. Danley was unconscionable. “No family deserves to suffer from the negligence of the medical professionals that they put their trust in,” commented Jesse Reiter, expressing the firm’s ethos of advocating for accountability in the healthcare system. He emphasized the complexity and emotional toll of birth trauma cases, crediting their team’s years of experience in successfully representing families like Bowers and Kellems.

This judgment is not merely a financial award; it serves as a pathway to the resources and care that E.K. will need as he grows up. With this funding, the family can access crucial medical treatments and specialized equipment necessary for E.K.'s care, providing them with some peace of mind about the future despite the ongoing challenges they will face due to his condition.

Commitment to Birth Injury Advocacy

For nearly three decades, ABC Law Centers has solely focused on advocating for victims of birth injuries, leveraging their deep understanding of the intersection between legal and medical knowledge required for these cases. Their commitment to continual education and awareness in this niche field has positioned them as leaders, with several attorneys involved in the American Association for Justice and the Birth Trauma Litigation Group.

Despite the challenges in cases like these, the team at ABC Law Centers continues to work tirelessly to ensure that injured children and their families have access to necessary support and a secure future.