Preparing for the birth of a child is a celebratory time in a family’s life, but when things go wrong, they can cause emotional, physical and psychological trauma to everyone involved. One family in Maryland recently received a settlement for medical malpractice because their child was born with cerebral palsy. A jury determined that the hospital deprived their son of oxygen by delaying the mother’s C-section.
The birth was scheduled at home with a midwife, but the mother could not safely deliver the baby. She was rushed to the hospital, where she waited two long hours for blood tests before the C-section was performed. Her son developed cerebral palsy that has left him unable to sit up, speak or walk because of the delayed surgery.
A jury concluded that the child was permanently harmed because the hospital and staff failed to act in an urgent manner. Experts testified that a C-section should have been performed on the mother within 30-40 minutes upon arriving at the hospital. The jury agreed with the testimony, and the family was awarded $55 million, of which they will receive $30 million because of a legal cap on damages.
Maryland families who have loved ones suffering because of medical negligence may benefit from consulting with an attorney. No amount of money is going to change the fact that the child will need constant physical care and ongoing medical treatment. A lawyer experienced in medical malpractice can determine if there is just cause to file a claim for compensation that will cover the needs of an affected child for the remainder of his or her life.
