Hospital Pays Millions of Dollars in Medical Negligence Case
The family of a boy who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy following his birth was recently awarded $8.4 million. Following the diagnosis, the boy’s family initiated a lawsuit against the Georgia medical center claiming that the medical center’s negligence caused the boy’s cerebral palsy.
Several hours after the mother arrived at the medical center, the mother began showing signs of possible fetal intolerance, which means low oxygenation. The medical center provided the mother with an oxygen mask to help with breathing. During birth, the boy experienced a delayed delivery, which required immediate resuscitation. According to the family’s lawsuit, by waiting until eight minutes after the boy’s delivery, the medical center failed to timely insert a breathing tube to help the boy breathe. Apparently, the main resuscitation team was not available because the team was working on another delivery. Furthermore, the backup resuscitation team was not alerted in order to timely respond to the boy’s condition.
After the jury deliberated to determine whether the medical center caused the boy’s cerebral palsy, the jury held the medical center was at fault and awarded the family $8,455,597. While the lawsuit named two defendants, Northeast Georgia Medical Center and The Longstreet Clinic, the jury found that the medical center was 100 percent at fault for the boy’s injuries. A midwife certified nurse from the clinic assisted with the delivery, but the jury did not find the clinic liable.
The medical center has not decided whether to appeal the decision. Assuming the decision stands, however, the family will be able to establish trust with the funds to provide for the boy’s future medical care and needs. The boy cannot walk and talk and requires a wheelchair and a feeding tube. Fortunately for the family, the damages will help defray the boy’s future medical costs.
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cerebral palsy is a “group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture.” Cerebral palsy often occurs before birth or soon thereafter and causes different disabilities in each child.
The CDC says that about 1 in 323 children in the United States suffers from cerebral palsy.
Common Causes of Cerebral Palsy and Possible Symptoms
Cerebral palsy is one of the most common motor disabilities in children. Common causes of cerebral palsy include:
- Genetics;
- Lack of blood supply to the brain before birth;
- Infections;
- Lack of oxygen;
- Bleeding in the brain; and
- Head injury.
Signs of cerebral palsy can vary with each child, depending on the child’s age and severity of the injury. Common signs include:
- Inability to crawl or walk;
- Inability to stand without support;
- Difficulty controlling head when picked up;
- Inability to push toys with wheels; and
- Inability to sit without help.
Contact a New York Medical Negligence Attorney Today
If your child has cerebral palsy and you believe that it may have been caused by the hospitals and doctor’s negligence, an experienced New York personal injury attorney can help you with your case. Peters, Berger, Koshel & Goldberg, P.C.’s cerebral palsy attorneys can help you and your family to recover the compensation you deserve. Contact our personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation at 1-800-836-7801 or 718-596-7800.