Jury Awards $4.1M in Birth Trauma and Privacy Case
Table of Contents
Medical History and Care
In December 2017, Alexandra Wolfson began prenatal care at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. Her care team included multiple physicians and midwives across affiliated facilities. Early exams and ultrasounds showed no fetal abnormalities. By April 2018, providers identified that the fetus was in breech position, but subsequent follow-up was lacking. Physicians did not order serial ultrasounds or educate Wolfson on fetal positioning risks. Providers also failed to respond adequately to Wolfson’s persistent pelvic and back pain, which could have indicated malpresentation.
Medical Negligence and Oversight
On August 3, 2018, at 37 weeks pregnant, Wolfson arrived at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery with complaints including decreased fetal movement, nausea, and high blood pressure. Her lab results showed abnormalities consistent with preeclampsia and active labor. Despite this, no physician evaluated her. A midwife consulted a doctor by phone, who cleared her for discharge. Three days later, Wolfson returned in active labor. Again, no physician examined her before delivery. The care team failed to monitor fetal distress and did not perform an ultrasound to check fetal position. The baby was born in brow and posterior presentation, an uncommon and dangerous delivery position.
Birth Trauma and Public Disclosure
The baby, Camille Hoffman, was born unresponsive and required resuscitation. She showed signs of cranial deformity consistent with a traumatic birth. Wolfson suffered a second-degree perineal tear. After delivery, CNM Anne Londergan secretly took a photo of Camille’s deformed head without parental consent. She posted the image to her public Instagram account, mocking the newborn’s condition with the caption, “Jellybean head.” Public comments followed, some of which ridiculed the mother’s anatomy. Londergan also shared private birth details, violating patient confidentiality.
Resulting Injuries and Impact
The Plaintiffs reported emotional distress from both the birth experience and the public shaming. They described trauma from poor communication, lack of care, and the online exposure of their daughter’s condition. The newborn suffered physical deformities. Alexandra Wolfson experienced both physical injuries and psychological harm.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiffs: Alexandra Wolfson | Jason Hoffman | Camille Hoffman (a minor)
Counsel for Plaintiff: Thomas E. Bosworth
Defendants: Albert Einstein Medical Center | Albert Einstein Healthcare Network | Einstein Practice Plan, Inc. | Albert Einstein Medical Associates, Inc. | Albert Einstein Medical Practitioners, Inc. | Einstein Healthcare Systems, Inc. | Einstein OB/GYN Associates | Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia | Einstein Medical Center Montgomery | WomanWise Midwifery, P.C. | Daryl E. Stoner, M.D. | Anne Pitts Londergan, CNM | Kate Stampler, D.O. | Andrew Chau, M.D.
Claims
Count I – Medical Negligence (Professional Liability)
Against the treating medical professionals for failing to provide care in accordance with accepted medical standards during prenatal care, labor, and delivery.
Count II – Corporate Negligence
Against the healthcare institutions for failing to maintain a system that ensured competent staff, adequate procedures, and patient safety.
Count III – Vicarious Liability
Against the institutions and professional groups for the negligent acts of their employees and agents, including midwives and doctors involved in the plaintiff’s care.
Count IV – Invasion of Privacy
Against CNM Anne Pitts Londergan for taking and distributing a photograph of the newborn without consent, intruding upon the family’s privacy.
Count V – Public Disclosure of Private Facts
Also against Londergan, for posting the photo and sensitive medical information on a public Instagram account, exposing the family’s private experience.
Count VI – Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
Against Londergan and possibly institutional defendants, for her outrageous and deliberate conduct that caused severe emotional trauma to the plaintiffs.
Count VII – Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
Against the same defendants for careless and insensitive actions—particularly the posting of graphic and intimate birth content—causing foreseeable emotional harm.
Count VIII – Common Law Breach of Confidentiality
Against CNM Londergan for publicly revealing confidential medical information without authorization, breaching her professional duties.
Count IX – Loss of Consortium (Jason Hoffman)
Filed by co-plaintiff Jason Hoffman, alleging harm to his relationship with Alexandra Wolfson due to the trauma caused by defendants’ actions.
Count X – Negligence: WomanWise Midwifery, P.C.
Specifically against the midwifery practice for failing to supervise or prevent Londergan’s actions and for broader systemic negligence in care.
Count XI – Negligent Supervision and Retention
Against the institutional defendants for negligently hiring, supervising, or retaining providers like Londergan despite risks or known issues.
Count XII – Negligence: Einstein Physicians Montgomery
Against this specific physician group for its role in the negligent care and oversight during the plaintiff’s labor and delivery.
Count XIII – Punitive Damages
A request for punitive damages due to the willful, malicious, and reckless conduct—particularly focused on the unauthorized photo and its public release.
Jury Verdict
On June 27, 2025, a Philadelphia County jury awarded $4.1 million to Alexandra Wolfson, Jason Hoffman, and their daughter Camille Hoffman, following a medical negligence and privacy invasion case against multiple defendants, including Anne Pitts Londergan, CNM, and Albert Einstein Medical Center. The jury found Londergan, Einstein, and Dr. Daryl Stoner negligent, concluding their actions directly caused harm. They assigned 85% of the causative fault to Londergan and 15% to Einstein. The jury also found Londergan liable for both invasion of privacy and breach of confidentiality, awarding $1.5 million specifically for those violations.