Humans are prone to error, but a series of errors is symptomatic of an underlying issue. Even one mistake in a North Adams delivery room is one too many, as anyone who has suffered birth injuries knows all too well. There are some facilities in which medical negligence extends to more than just one situation. As a recent string of lawsuits demonstrates, some hospitals may need to rethink their personnel or processes to reduce the risk harming infants.
According to one of the lawsuits, physicians failed to act quickly with a laboring mother. As a result, the baby, whom the family’s attorney said was born lifeless, suffered a catastrophic brain injury and has cerebral palsy. The suit states that the attending physicians took too much time both in making the decision to perform a Cesarean section and in actually starting the procedure.
The infant’s family has filed a lawsuit for $40 million, seeking damages that include a lifetime of medical care. The attorney pursuing the suit noted that there are two other families that have had similar experiences, and both families have filed lawsuits for roughly $40 million. According to the attorney, parents should come to the delivery room asking the right questions regarding which qualified medical personnel will be present should an emergency occur.
While any money secured from these lawsuits will not cure the infants, it will help the families mitigate the overwhelming expenses that brain injuries can incur. Additionally, a medical malpractice lawsuit can help bring negligent medical personnel to justice. Any family whose child has suffered a birth injury should immediately consult an attorney to explore the possibility of filing a claim.
Source: Fox 12 Oregon, “3 families sue Silverton Hospital for malpractice,” Andrew Padula, April 11, 2014
