The birth of a child in Baltimore can be one of the happiest moments in the life of a parent. A new baby brings with him or her a promise for the future and the moment he or she is born, the parents’ lives are changed forever.
One couple that was deprived of the unmarred joy of the birth of their baby daughter has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against their doctor, midwife and hospital recently. The mother went into labor and went to the hospital on September 11, 2011. Although there was meconium in the amniotic fluid, she was still allowed to go through hours of labor. Meconium is a substance that is normally found in the intestinal tract of the fetus. When it leaks into the amniotic fluid during labor, it can cause health problems for the baby.
The mother was 37 years old at the time of the delivery and had a pregnancy that was considered high risk with a low likelihood of a vaginal delivery working out. Still, her doctor and midwife allowed her to go through hours of unproductive labor, against the standard of care. When a C-section was finally performed, the baby was born in a highly depressed state and had suffered permanent brain damage. As a result, she suffers from developmental and medical problems that include seizures.
The parents are seeking damages for the child’s medical costs, therapies, special schooling and supervised care. They are also seeking compensation for lost earnings and pain and suffering. This is a nightmare that no parent should have to endure. Hopefully their lawsuit will enable them to get the compensation they deserve.
Source: Courthouse News Service, “http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/10/15/62054.htm,” Barbara Wallace, Oct. 15, 2013
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