The birth of a child is one of the most anticipated events in a person’s life. The nine months leading up to the birth are full of planning, doctor visits and excitement in Maryland. The birth of a healthy child is the expected outcome. In a recent case in another state, a child was born with severe brain damage that may have been preventable. A medical malpractice suit was recently settled.
The woman in this case went into labor and was admitted to the hospital. After prolonged labor, the baby was delivered the following day. According to the suit, the staff did not realize that the baby was in distress. The suit alleged that the failure of the staff to realize the baby’s distress resulted in the child being born with severe brain damage.
The mother brought a suit against the hospital and staff who were involved in the delivery and care of mother and child. An out-of-court settlement was reached in the amount of $3.55 million. It had been requested by both sides that the settlement amount be kept confidential, but the District Court Judge denied the request. The settlement that is remaining after legal fees are paid will go into a trust for the child’s ongoing medical care needs.
There may be no greater joy than the birth of a healthy baby and no greater sadness than the birth of a child who’s health issues may have been avoided. If a woman in Maryland is questioning the care she received during labor and delivery, she may wish to seek legal counsel. A knowledgeable attorney can review the facts of the case and advise the client as to whether a medical malpractice lawsuit is a viable legal option.
