News

$900,000 Settlement for Birth Injury Malpractice

A recent lawsuit reveals the dangers of medical malpractice in the maternal ward. In this case, a pregnant woman was found to be carrying a larger-than-normal fetus. The mother herself had gestational diabetes.

When she was ready to give birth, the mother went into the hospital and was put under the care of a doctor other than her usual OB/GYN. Though aware of her diabetes and the fetus' size, the new doctor went ahead and induced labor without further examination. This was a mistake, as the doctor should have known that conditions like diabetes might increase the likelihood of a birth trauma such as Erb's palsy.

Soon after, the delivery began encountering difficulties. Though the fetus' large size was a factor, the real problem lay in the medical team's reaction. They made no attempt to perform a Cesarean section (which is common under such circumstances).

As the baby was being delivered, the doctor performed suprapubic pressure to extract the baby. However, this resulted in a severe birth injury, causing the infant to develop Erb's palsy and cerebral palsy.

Because the infant suffered a damaged arm and developmental delays, the mother chose to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the physicians involved. The family of the injured child won the birth injury case and was awarded with a $900,000 settlement.

If your child has been hurt due to medical negligence, you have every right to be angry. Though you cannot undo the damage, a lawsuit can give you financial compensation that can help you treat your child's birth injury and its consequences, giving your child a better life.

Birth injuries may require long-term or even life-long medical care for your child. If you believe medical malpractice may have resulted in your child's birth injuries, contact an experienced Louisville birth injury attorney at Gray and White Law at (502) 637-6000 or (800) 637-6033 for advice regarding your child's Kentucky birth injury case.

back to top