Expectant parents eagerly await the arrival of a baby for months or even years. When a baby’s arrival is finally eminent, the last thing parents expect is to be told their child may have suffered brain damage.
Three families who welcomed their children into the world at the same hospital, were all forced to deal with this difficult reality. All three families have filed medical malpractice lawsuits against the hospital, contending their children suffered brain damage as a result of negligent care. Thankfully, all three children survived. All, however, suffered permanent brain damage with resulted in the development of cerebral palsy.
One of the families who recently took legal action, described their son’s 2007 birth. Weighing approximately 10 lbs. at birth, the boy’s mother experienced difficulty while attempting to deliver her son naturally. Despite the prolonged delivery and stress and dangers posed to both mother and child, the obstetrician encouraged the woman to continue trying to birth her child vaginally.
Eventually, an emergency C-section was performed at which time the baby was delivered nearly lifeless. By the time medical personnel were about to resuscitate the baby, he had suffered permanent brain damage, the extent of which was not initially apparent.
At age two, the boy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Today, the six-year-old has difficulty using his arms as the muscles never properly or fully developed. Additionally, he is prone to experiencing episodes of extreme rage and has difficulty verbally communicating his thoughts and needs.
The boy’s parents have filed a lawsuit seeking $40 million in damages related to the medical mistakes they contend contributed to their son’s birth injury and cerebral palsy. New York families who have suffered a similar fate, would be wise to speak with an attorney about their experience.
In cases where an otherwise healthy child suffered trama immediately before, during or after birth, signs of possible medical malpractice should be closely examined. Families impacted by birth injuries can recover monetary damages to aid in providing for a child’s current and future medical and basic care needs.
Source: KHOU-TV, “Families sue Oregon hospital over cerebral palsy births,” Nina Mehlhaf, April 11, 2014
