Parents awarded millions in medical malpractice lawsuit
February 9th, 2017Despite advances in technology and improved monitoring systems, Louisiana mothers and children could be harmed or even die during childbirth. Many of thee tragedies are preventable. If a hospital or medical professional is negligent in the care of a mother or child, it may constitute medical malpractice.
Recently in another state, a jury awarded millions of dollars to a couple after the woman received negligent care by her physician and the hospital where she delivered her child. During the childbirth process, the mother was administered Pitocin to aide in the delivery. Pitocin is a drug routinely used to start or speed up labor by increasing the frequency and duration of contractions. Pitocin can have adverse affects on a baby, which can be detected through adequate monitoring of the baby’s heart rate.
The lawsuit claimed that the obstetrician and medical staff did not adequately monitor the mother or her son after giving her Pitocin. Although the child survived the birthing process, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. It is believed that during the Pitocin administration, the mother’s intense contractions limited oxygen and blood flow to the child, causing permanent injury. Adequate monitoring may have alerted medical staff to the child’s distress sooner.
It is heartbreaking for any parent to discover that any harm or injury to their child may have been prevented. The monetary award the parents received will help provide medical care for their son throughout his life. Louisiana medical malpractice lawyers are able to advise and support other parents in similar circumstances.
Source: altoonamirror.com, “Couple awarded $14.5M in lawsuit“, Phil Ray, Feb. 1, 2017
