Cerebral palsy is a serious condition that can stem from complications that happen during birth. Physicians in California can help prevent the issue by ensuring that the baby does not experience a lack of oxygen. Monitoring the mother and the baby during labor and delivery is a key part of spotting a potential problem and taking the steps to correct it. As one recent incident illustrates, failing to do so have serious consequences.
In Georgia, there is a 5-year-old boy who cannot walk or talk. He suffers from disfigurement and developmental delays, and he has to eat through a feeding tube in his stomach. According to his family’s attorneys, the boy’s condition is a direct result of cerebral palsy, which developed during his birth.
Court documents allege that the medical team at the hospital did not follow the standards of medical care. Fetal monitoring showed that the infant was not getting enough oxygen and that an early cesarean section may be necessary. However, the neonatal resuscitation team was busy, and the staff failed to call in back-up help. As a result, the infant went without a much-needed breathing tube for eight full minutes.
A jury determined that the hospital staff made an error and awarded the boy’s family $8.45 million. It is important for people who feel they have been victims of medical malpractice to consult with an attorney. While a settlement or award may not undo the damage a medical mistake causes, the money can be used to pay for medical expenses and long-term care.
Source: Gainesville Times, “Hospital must pay $8.4 million after boy’s injury at birth,” Nick Watson, Oct. 22, 2014
