Family Awarded $9.5 Million in Birth Injury Lawsuit
Earlier this month in Ireland, the family of a 14-year-old girl who was born with severe brain injuries as a result of alleged medical malpractice was awarded over $9.5 million. According to one local news source covering the case, the young girl is now completely dependent on others for her care, and she will likely require complex and intensive care for the remainder of her life.
Evidently, 14 years ago, the girl’s mother checked into the hospital four days prior to the girl’s birth, thinking that her water had broken. She was sent home and told that her water did not break and that she should come back when it did. However, subsequent testing confirmed that there was a drop in amniotic fluid when she came to the hospital.
When it was time for the girl’s mother to give birth, it is alleged that her birth consultant was not present, and there was not even a birthing team until five minutes after she had given birth. The combined effect of the series of medical oversights, the woman alleges, is that her daughter was deprived of oxygen at birth, leading to the severe birth injuries.
Birth Injury Lawsuits in Maryland
As in Ireland, a person who was born with a preventable birth injury in Maryland is entitled to recover from any negligent medical professional involved in the delivery. In most cases, it is advisable to name several parties in the lawsuit in order to make sure that the responsible party is named. When a plaintiff fails to name one party that played a role in the incident, there is a possibility that the remaining defendants will be able to shift all blame onto the absent party. This can prevent a plaintiff from recovering anything, even with a meritorious claim against all parties.
Birth injury and medical malpractice cases are complex. There are different procedural rules and requirements in these cases, and the assistance of a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney is very important to the viability of a case. One example of where an experienced attorney can help is in the area of expert selection. In Maryland, all medical malpractice cases must be accompanied by an expert’s certification that the plaintiff’s case is grounded in medical science. It is important that not just any doctor make the statement, since they may be subject to questioning by the defense.
Have You Suffered Though a Maryland Birth Injury?
If you or a loved one has recently been the victim of medical malpractice around the time of a birth or pregnancy, you may be entitled to monetary compensation through a Maryland birth injury lawsuit. Of course, doctors, nurses, and hospitals are not likely to admit liability and offer a fair compensation amount without some negotiations. Call (410) 567-0800 today to set up a free consultation with a dedicated and compassionate attorney. With an attorney’s assistance, you may be entitled to monetary compensation, including amounts for medical expenses, loss of companionship, and any pain and suffering you endured as a result of the doctor’s negligence.
