When a couple goes through nine months of pregnancy and then come up against below standard medical care, the traumatic experience is probably something that will stay with the family for life. When a medical staff fails to execute the level of care expected by most of their patients, they may have to face claims of medical negligence or malpractice. Pennsylvania readers of this blog may be interested in the heartbreaking experience of a couple in another state.
A hospital is facing three medical malpractice lawsuits after patients were reportedly subjected to medical negligence. One couple alleged that the doctors failed to identify, and delayed acting upon, the expecting mother going into labor. Furthermore, when problems presented, the doctors allegedly failed to establish that she required a C-section. When the baby was ultimately born by C-section, he was unresponsive, and the purported failure of medical staff to take action immediately caused the baby to be without oxygen for approximately 14 minutes.
The hospital’s staff is accused of medical negligence that resulted in the baby suffering permanent damage to his brain, along with cerebral palsy. As a result of catastrophic brain injury, their son will need special care for the duration of his life. In addition, medical and other expenses may create substantial financial problems for the family.
Families in Pennsylvania who have been subjected to medical negligence may want to gain knowledge of available legal options under state law. This is a complex legal area, and information about the requirements and procedures for filing of medical malpractice lawsuits in a court of law may be beneficial. If wrongdoing on the part of a medical caregiver can be proved in court, the family may be entitled to monetary restitution to cover current and future costs related to the incident.
Source: kptv.com, “3 families sue Silverton Hospital for malpractice”, Andrew Padula, April 12, 2014