Published by Arfaa Law Group
Mistakes made during labor and delivery can have devastating consequences, and in many instances, the harm suffered is permanent. While no amount of money can compensate for the loss of the ability to lead a healthy life, parents of children who suffer life-altering birth injuries can often recover significant compensation. This was demonstrated recently in a verdict issued by a Baltimore jury, awarding a family almost thirty-five million dollars for harm suffered by an infant shortly after birth. If your child suffered injuries at birth due to the negligence of their treatment providers, you might be owed damages, and you should consult an assertive Maryland medical malpractice lawyer to determine your rights.
The Infant’s Harm
It is reported that the mother delivered the plaintiff infant and his twin brother on August 19, 2007, which was approximately one month before they were due. The twin brother was born without complications, but the plaintiff infant had difficulty breathing after he was delivered. He was apneic as a result of his breathing issues and initially required ventilation via a bag mask valve. He was then able to breathe on his own and was admitted to an intensive care nursery at 5:00 am. Allegedly, he was healthy at that time.
Allegedly, the plaintiff infant suffered an apneic episode fifteen minutes later, however, and began having difficulty breathing. The hospital staff began to try different methods to improve his breathing but did not contact the on-call doctor until 5:40 am when the plaintiff infant’s condition rapidly worsened. He began to turn blue, and his oxygen levels were dangerously low. He ultimately had to be intubated and suffered brain damage, cerebral palsy, and other medical issues, which were caused by the lack of oxygen.
The Damages Awarded
The core issue of the case was whether the jury agreed that the staff that initially treated the plaintiff infant committed medical negligence by failing to contact the on-call pediatrician until after the plaintiff infant had struggled to breathe for over twenty-five minutes. As indicated by the verdict, the jury ultimately found in favor of the plaintiffs.
The jury awarded the family close to thirty-five million dollars in damages. While the award is substantial, it is based on actual and anticipated financial losses rather than pain and suffering or other intangible losses. Specifically, the jury granted the family about $1.2 million for past medical expenses and over $32 million in future medical costs. Additionally, the jury awarded the plaintiff infant $1.4 million in lost future earnings.
Confer with a Proficient Maryland Medical Malpractice Attorney
There are few things as exciting as the birth of a child, but careless mistakes during the birthing process can rob infants of their health and independence. If your child suffered a birth injury due to the carelessness of their treatment providers, you should contact an attorney to discuss your potential claims. The proficient Maryland attorneys of Arfaa Law Group understand how birth injuries can shatter families’ hopes and expectations, and if you hire us, we will fight to help you pursue the best outcome possible under the facts of your case. You can contact us through our online form or at (410) 889-1850 to set up a meeting.