An Ohio jury has just awarded a mother and son $14.5 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The family filed the negligence claim after the boy suffered a brain hemorrhage as the result of a delay in delivery. According to the lawsuit, he now suffers from cerebral palsy, cognitive delays, visual impairments and other issues that will require a lifetime of care.
When delays in delivery occur, the results can be devastating. For example, a lack of oxygen to the baby's brain can be caused by neglecting to perform a timely C-section, improper delivery methods, A brain injury during birth can result in mental retardation, cerebral palsy and various developmental delays of your baby.
If you believe that your child may have suffered a birth injury as the result of medical negligence, seeking the counsel of a California birth injury attorney is important to obtain justice for you and your family.
As set forth in the medical malpractice claim, at just over 24 weeks pregnant, the mother was admitted to the hospital with early signs of labor. The labor was stopped with medication and bed rest. Her previous pregnancy had ended with an emergency c-section at 32 weeks, roughly 5 weeks premature. According to trial testimony, based on this set of facts, the mother should have stayed in the hospital.
However, the mother was released. Just a couple weeks later her water broke and she was admitted to the hospital. Despite her request that she have a caesarian section soon after being admitted as had been discussed with her regular doctor, the attending obstetrician failed to perform the operation, claiming that the baby was healthy. The baby later showed signs of fetal distress and an emergency c-section was performed. Unfortunately, it was too late and the infant had suffered a massive brain injury during the delay.
The jury determined that medical negligence existed, and awarded the family damages including the cost of future care, pain and suffering, medical costs, and economic loss.
For more information or to discuss your next steps, please contact the passionate and dedicated California birth injury lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate, confidential consultation.