Summer Hawcroft was born prematurely to Steven and Michaela Hawcroft of Kendray in the UK on April 23, 2011. She died in her mother’s arms 49 days later.
An ongoing lawsuit blames a mistake by doctors at the Barnsley District Hospital. When her breathing tube was disconnected, it deprived Summer of much needed oxygen while she was in the neo-natal unit. The lawsuit says this lack of oxygen caused a traumatic brain injury, which led to her early death.
‘A Combination of Factors’
Summer needed resuscitation after birth, according to pediatrician Dr. Ash Kale. She was placed in an incubator and fitted with a breathing tube. An independent doctor testified that another breathing tube would have been more appropriate, and Kale admitted that he’d received no training regarding incubation. When Summer started hyperventilating, medical staff adjusted the incubator settings.
On May 4, the breathing tube “became displaced,” according to a story in the Daily Mail. Summer died in June. The doctor who examined Summer after her death said that she had a hypoxic brain injury that coincided with the May 4 event, but that her death could be the result of “a combination of several factors rather than one single event.”
This is an extremely tragic story where a medical staff with more competence could have prevented this baby’s brain injury and eventual death. If you know someone who lost a child under similar circumstances, remember that you have options. A legal victory will not bring a child back, but it can hold guilty parties responsible for their mistakes and help compensate for your painful loss. Call today, and ask about our free consultations: 1-800-460-0606.
Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – birth trauma attorneys
