A jury has awarded $50M to the family of a boy who suffered a brain injury due to several labor and delivery errors the lawsuit asserted. If you believe your child was injured due to hospital negligence, it is important to speak to a California medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible to begin an investigation into the factors surrounding your case.
In this instance, a mother with a low-risk, healthy pregnancy arrived at the hospital to deliver her child at 40 weeks. The labor slowed, and the nurse – without consulting the mother’s obstetrician – began administering Pitocin, at both too high a dosage and too rapidly, according to court filings. When delivered incorrectly, in improper amounts or when not needed or monitored correctly, injuries and trauma to the mother and child may occur. Mothers can experience nausea, decreased blood pressure, hemorrhages and impaired blood flow in the uterus. For the newborn, the risk of fetal distress increases and complications such as an abnormal heart beat, seizures, brain injury or damage and a decreased heart rate can be the result.
In this instance, fetal monitoring strips showed that the child was experiencing fetal distress. However, the staff failed to act quickly and order an emergency Cesarean Section. When the boy was delivered, he was blue and lifeless, with low APGAR scores. Fortunately, doctors were able to save his life, but he now has significant cognitive delays and will never be able to care for himself. The money will go towards providing him with his basic needs for the rest of his life.
For more information, or if you believe your child has suffered harm due to a medical error at birth, please contact the dedicated California birth injury lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.