The state of Iowa recently settled a birth injury lawsuit for $3.75 million, $2 million of which will be paid up front. According to the lawsuit, employees at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics acted negligently in 2007 when administering Pitocin to then 20-year-old Martha Fountain, which caused her son to suffer brain injuries during birth. As a result, he now suffers from cerebral palsy and other serious medical conditions.
Martha reportedly went to UIHC to give birth at the end of a routine, full-term pregnancy. When her baby experienced difficulty descending into the birth canal, hospital staff administered Pitocin, a synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin that is used to induce or speed up labor. According to the lawsuit, UIHC staff failed to determine the frequency and strength of Martha’s contractions before administering the drug, and they continued administering Pitocin even as excessive contractions were causing “significant trauma” to the baby’s head. Martha’s son was eventually delivered by cesarean section after 28 hours of labor.
Based on the lawsuit’s allegations, it seems UIHC staff failed to properly monitor mother and baby while administering Pitocin. Pitocin is a drug that can cause excessive contractions. Excessive contractions can result in reduced blood flow to the baby’s brain and prolonged labor. If doctors do not properly monitor contractions and fetal heartbeat while administering Pitocin, they mail fail to notice complications until it is too late to prevent birth trauma. Although UIHC denied negligence, arguing the boy’s brain injuries were likely the result of other factors, the hospital opted to settle the lawsuit.
Martha and Jonathon Fountain will now receive $3.75 million, half of which will come from the state’s general fund, and the other half of which a University of Iowa physicians group will pay. While no amount of money can erase the harm allegedly done to their son, this settlement will certainly help pay for the ongoing treatment and care he needs. After receiving $2 million initially, the family will receive the remaining $1.75 million in monthly installments over the next 55 years. The hospital also agreed to waive a $37,000 bill.
Pitocin-related birth injuries can result in lifelong impairments. If you received Pitocin and your child suffered a birth injury, an experienced cerebral palsy attorney can review your case to determine if a Pitocin error or other medical mistake occurred. When medical malpractice is to blame for a birth defect or birth trauma, parents may be entitled to compensation. Contact a knowledgeable cerebral palsy lawyer today to learn more about your rights under medical malpractice law.
