According to Law.com, a Union County, New Jersey jury recently awarded a family $20 million in damages after a child suffered brain injuries prior to her birth. 
A jury found that two doctors failed to promptly treat the woman despite the fact that she was showing fetal distress prior to the child’s birth. The child, born in 2011, now has cerebral palsy.
In the lawsuit, the family claimed that a technician discovered that the girl developed intrauterine growth retardation during an ultrasound check at the 33rd week of pregnancy.
However, a report sat in the maternal fetal medicine medical office for four days detailing the retardation before it was faxed to the mother’s obstetrician. The retardation caused the child to lose weight because it was not getting proper nutrition.
Lawyers claimed in the lawsuit that it would have been the proper standard of care for an official from the maternal fetal medicine clinic to phone the obstetrician and patient immediately after the test results were received.
During the delay, the child reportedly stopped breathing and suffered brain damage. The child now cannot speak and uses a wheelchair, according to the news outlet.
The lawsuit was filed against both the maternal fetal medicine specialist and the obstetrician; however the obstetrician and family came to a settlement prior to trial.
According to Law.com, the jury awarded the family $11 million for future care costs, $8 million for the disability and loss of enjoyment of life, and $1 million for the couple’s loss of consortium. The jury found the obstetrician was 70 percent at fault and the maternal fetal medicine medical office was 30 percent at fault.
Brain Injuries Can Lead to Significant Future Medical Costs
This story is a sad reminder of the financial hardships that are associated with birth trauma such as cerebral palsy. Brain injuries can lead to a lifetime of medical costs for victims and family members, as therapies and specialized care can be extremely expensive.
If your child has suffered a brain injury due to the negligence of a healthcare provider, our Ryan Krebs, M.D., J.D., is especially qualified to handle medical malpractice cases.
Our firm is well versed in birth injury law and each attorney can provide you with the legal advice and representation you need to successfully pursue a case. For a free discussion about your case, call 1-(800)-460-0606.
