Child injured due to medical malpractice

An out-of-state hospital has recently been ordered to pay $9 million as a result of a medical malpractice settlement. The suit involved a pregnant woman who went to the hospital, where she later suffered a birth injury, the suit alleges. When Maryland residents receive negligent care that results in their injury or death, they may be entitled to file a medical malpractice suit against the responsible party.

The woman was admitted to the hospital on Sept. 7, 2010. The suit alleges that the medical staff there was very familiar with her medical history — this included the woman’s high risk of uterine rupture. A physician who was in her first year of residency at the time saw the woman. The lawsuit claims that the resident was too inexperienced, and when the woman’s uterus ruptured, she did not call for help. A nurse was the one who made the call, and a more-experienced physician soon arrived.

However, the suit claims that it was already too late, and as a result of the rupture and delay, the baby’s oxygen was cut off. This oxygen deprivation caused cerebral palsy in the boy in addition to permanent brain damage. The boy is now permanently disabled and will require constant care for the remainder of his life. A considerable portion of the settlement will be allocated in order to purchase an annuity for the victim, which will result in monthly payments paid to the boy’s trust — this will be guaranteed for the remainder of his life, no matter how long he may end up living.

Maryland patients sometimes suffer great harm as a result of medical malpractice. However, financial and legal recourse exists in the form of a medical malpractice lawsuit. When successfully presented, this kind of suit may sometimes result in the entry of a monetary judgment in order to compensate the victim for financial damages sustained as a result of the malpractice. Victims typically consult an experienced personal injury lawyer in order to assess the validity of their proposed legal claims and to have someone who can advocate on their behalf as they pursue a favorable outcome in a Maryland civil court.

Source: khon2.com, “Tripler to pay $9 million in medical malpractice settlement”, Feb. 5, 2016