Babies who suffer injuries during or immediately following birth can develop life-altering conditions as a result. And often, these injuries are caused by an error made during the delivery process and there is nothing that parents could have done to prevent the incident and protect their child. Because of how dramatically a birth injury can affect babies and their parents, it can be crucial to take legal action to hold negligent parties accountable.
That is what one couple did after their son developed cerebral palsy as a result of medical negligence. New Jersey residents may want to be aware of this case, as it can happen to any child in any hospital.
Reports indicate that a mother and father in another state went to the hospital after the mother started experiencing serious abdominal pain. Doctors and nurses who treated her knew that she had had pregnancy complications before and were reportedly monitoring her condition closely. However, that attention proved to be inadequate when it came time for the woman to deliver.
According to the lawsuit the parents filed, the necessary cesarean section procedure was delayed for a dangerous amount of time. And issues stemming from uterine rupture were not tended to appropriately. Because of these oversights and mistakes, the little boy that was born suffered a serious brain injury. Now he has cerebral palsy and requires constant care and support from medical professionals and his parents.
It was recently announced that the family and the hospital where the baby was born have reached an agreement for settlement, pending federal approval. The family will reportedly receive $9 million from the hospital, including a lump-sum payment of $5 million which will be paid right away. This money cannot undo the devastating events that took place during the birth of their son, but it will provide critical support for the parents and their son.
Source: “Lawyers: $9M settlement for boy’s cerebral palsy,” Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Jan. 29, 2014
