Settlement in case against doctor and hospital for birth injury

One city-owned hospital in another state has finally decided to settle a lawsuit from an injury that occurred in 2005. The suit alleged that the negligence of that hospital and its doctor had caused a birth injury that disabled a boy for life. The boy’s parents filed the suit just three years ago. Unfortunately, cases such as this occur all too often in Louisiana as well.

A jury returned a $4 million verdict against the doctor after the physician was found negligent in the boy’s birth. Thereafter, the city agreed to a settlement on behalf of the hospital but did not disclose the amount agreed upon. The parents’ attorney states that it will not be enough for lifetime care. Court records note that the mother was admitted to the hospital because she was small-framed and the baby was too large for her to deliver naturally, but the doctor apparently took no steps to prevent damage to her or the baby, such as a cesarean section.

The woman was also given a drug to induce labor by the hospital staff, despite the fact that the drug was inappropriate in her situation. Even though evidence showed that the drug could harm the baby, it was still given to her repeatedly for 12 hours. The drug, which caused the baby to suffer oxygen loss, was dosed to the woman in an amount that exceeded the maximum allowed.

The doctor then used a vacuum extraction procedure without the mother’s consent, and despite the fact that the baby was too large. He continued to apply suction to the baby’s head for far longer than is recommended, while the baby’s heart rate dropped to dangerous levels. Immediately after birth, the baby had to be transferred to a children’s hospital because of damage to his brain.

The boy will never be able to care for himself because of the birth injury. Anyone in Louisiana whose child was injured because of the negligence of a doctor or hospital staff may choose to speak with a personal injury attorney. The lawyer can help the victim’s family seek damages for medical bills, time lost from work, lifetime care of the victim and other financial damages.

Source: csindy.com, “Memorial Hospital, doctor sued after infant delivery results in brain damage“, Pam Zubeck, Aug. 2, 2017