Florida Doctor Found Liable for Negligence in Horrific Birth Injury Case

A Florida family recently received a $33.8 million judgment for birth injuries to their newborn baby. A federal judge found that the attending obstetrician was negligent in failing to perform a timely cesarean section and leaving his patient unattended for extended periods of time during the labor and delivery process.

In December of 2013, the mother was reportedly in the late stages of labor when her doctor arrived at her bedside. He directed hospital nurses to administer medication to enhance contractions. Then, over the next 90 minutes, he repeatedly left the patient for extended periods of time and failed to perform a cesarean section. According to reports, he even left at one point to carry on an eight-minute conversation with his stockbroker.

During the delivery process, the doctor made several attempts to deliver the baby using a vacuum tool. These efforts were unsuccessful, and the baby began suffocating after the mother was forced to push for more than 90 minutes, according to the court record. When the baby was born, the medical team had to revive him due to a lack of oxygen. He ultimately suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result. According to reports, the doctor then attempted to cover his tracks by changing the patient’s birth records to falsely reflect the mother’s refusal of a cesarean section.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

A medical expert testified that the doctor was negligent in administering Pitocin to strengthen contractions.  These prolonged contractions decreased the blood supply to the baby, also restricting the amount of oxygen to the brain. When a newborn baby does not receive adequate oxygen to the brain during delivery, Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) may occur. This condition can cause permanent brain damage. Also called intrapartum asphyxia, HIE-related impairments can range from mild to severe, including:

• Injured babies may experience neonatal seizures.
• Developmental delays. Parents of injured newborns may notice delays in the development of language, motor, and social skills.
• Cognitive impairments. As an injured baby gets older, he or she may have difficulties with memory, concentration, and learning new information.

The financial effects of HIE injuries

The lasting effects of an HIE birth injury can prove extremely costly for the child’s family. Frequent doctor’s visits are often necessary, and around-the-clock medical care is sometimes required. Developmental delays may prevent the baby from performing even the most basic functions, including sitting up and eating independently. These types of conditions require extensive treatment and living support, often causing a financial hardship for the family. A large verdict or settlement is often necessary for the provision of adequate treatment, but the commencement of a medical malpractice claim can be difficult without assistance from skilled legal experts in the field.

If your newborn was injured during labor and delivery, trust experienced Memphis birth injury attorneys to fight for your family. The lawyers of Bailey & Greer, PLLC pride themselves on providing quality legal representation to the residents of Memphis, Jackson, and West Tennessee. Call our office at 901-680-9777 or complete our contact form today.