Andrea and William Dorsheimer’s son was born in the USA Naval Hospital in Florida with severe brain damage. They recently filed a lawsuit blaming the hospital’s negligence for their baby’s injuries; they seek $80 million in damages.
Andrea’s doctors decided to administer Pitocin, a drug intended to speed up delivery. We have blogged about Pitocin dangers before. Sometimes it speeds up contractions to the point where it restricts the flow of oxygen to the baby’s brain, which is what appeared to happen here. Two hours after giving Andrea the Pitocin dose, her child showed “non-reassuring signs” of fetal distress that continued for four hours.
Causes and Consequences of Baby Bain Injuries
Eventually, the doctors ordered an emergency C-section. When they removed the child, they saw that he had no heartbeat, no signs of breathing and poor coloring. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. Doctors resuscitated the child. A follow-up confirmed that the lack of oxygen during labor – caused partly by the doctor’s delay in performing a C-section – led to the child’s brain damage.
His parents say he has seizures and requires many forms of therapy, including physical therapy and speech therapy. He will require care for several more years. Money from this potential settlement could cover some of his therapy and medical bills, as well as compensating for the trauma his parents experienced at the hospital.
Doctors who make poor decisions during labor can be held responsible for the long-term damage they cause. If this story sounds like something you or a loved one went through, we can help parents of disabled children seek justice against negligent medical professionals. Call today at 1-800-460-0606 to learn more in a free consultation.
Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – birth trauma attorneys
