The birth of a child should be an amazing time that parents can look forward to. California moms- and dads-to-be spend months preparing for a little life to coming into the world. What many parents do not – and cannot – prepare for is a birth injury. In a matter of moments, their entire world can be turned upside down. Mistakes made during labor and delivery can affect a baby – and that baby’s family – for the rest of their lives.
For one mother and toddler, life is now dramatically different from what they may have pictured. The woman – who had been staying at a homeless shelter – arrived at a Los Angeles hospital, reporting she had abdominal pain. However, a medical resident sent her back to the shelter. In a lawsuit, the plaintiff asserts that none of the obstetricians saw her before she was discharged.
She returned to the hospital 12 hours later and had an emergency Caesarean section. At some point, she suffered a ruptured uterus, which resulted in a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain. The incident caused a brain injury, which the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has determined merits a $7.5 million payment. The family’s attorney noted that the settlement includes more than $300,000 for medical care costs.
When a doctor error causes harm to a patient, they may be entitle to compensation. For a mother who has had hopes of a bright future for her child, medical negligence can be devastating both emotionally and physically. An attorney can help parents who have been victims of medical malpractice get the compensation they deserve, both for medical expenses but also the emotional damage that – sometimes – is even harder to overcome.
Source: San Jose Mercury News, “LA County settles $7.5 million malpractice suit,” The Associated Press, Nov. 5, 2013
