Hospital and doctor ordered to pay $14.5 million for birth injuries

For Pennsylvania parents, the thought of any serious injury to their children is among the worst things that can happen. This thought can be especially painful when any injury is preventable, such as in a birth injury case. When the livelihood of an innocent baby is stolen by the acts of a negligent nurse or negligent doctor, the trauma to families can run deep and it can also lead to the need for long-term care depending on the severity of the birth injuries.

A jury in Ohio has recently awarded a total of $14.5 million to an 11-year old boy and his mother for their birth injury case. The damages include $500,000 for financial losses to date, $1 million for the mother’s care, $8 million for the child’s future care and $5 million for pain and suffering. The hospital and the attending physician are equally liable for the damages. The boy suffers from visual impairments, cognitive delays and cerebral palsy as the result of a brain hemorrhage during his premature birth.

When pregnant, the then 36-year old woman went into labor but was sent home from the hospital on three occasions. Each time, the labor was stopped by rest and drugs. Six days after the last of those three admittances, the woman’s water broke and she was readmitted to the hospital. Her request for a Caesarian at that time was denied and a little over eight hours later an emergency C-section was performed. The brain hemorrhage was said to have taken place within the last few hours before the delivery.

Cases like these should make every prospective parent take note. Advocating for one’s healthcare is important but so too can be getting help if an error does happen or is suspected.

Source: Cleveland.com, “Garfield Heights boy and mother awarded $14.5 million in malpractice case,” Karen Farkas, June 13, 2014