An Army woman whose baby suffered from brain damage during delivery at an Augusta hospital has been awarded a settlement of $3.5 million. The doctor and the hospital responsible for the situation have agreed to pay the amount.
According to the lawsuit, on January 31, 2016, the lady was admitted at Trinity Hospital, where she went into labor, and the next day she delivered a baby. She alleged that the medical staff at the hospital failed to realize that her baby was in fetal distress during the delivery, which caused the baby severe brain damage.
The child suffered injuries leading to decreased oxygen and blood flow before delivery at Trinity, causing extensive and permanent brain damage. The hospital is under the government's authority and primarily provides medical care to service personnel.
After the settlement is done, 90% of the amount will go to the special needs trust.
In a similar medical malpractice lawsuit that a Cook County jury settled at an Oak Park, Illinois, Hospital, $101 million was awarded as settlement for the baby born with a damaged brain. The lawsuit claimed that nurses failed to monitor the infant's external fetal monitoring strips for six hours before and during his delivery, which led to abnormalities. The injuries have resulted in the child being unable to speak or take care of himself. The infant has been sent to Misericordia Home, a facility that helps in taking care of people with mild to severe developmental disabilities. The settlement will ensure proper medical care for the rest of his life.
