This is a medical malpractice infant wrongful death case filed by a woman in Baltimore City. This case was filed in Health Claims Arbitration on January 10, 2017, and it is the tenth medical malpractice claim in Maryland filed in 2017.
Summary of Plaintiff's AllegationsPlaintiff, a 34-year-old woman, goes to defendant obstetrician's office just over 40 weeks pregnant. Defendants discover that she is only one centimeter dilated and that she is only 50% effaced. She tells them that she experienced a loss of fluid and bleeding. A test is done, which indicates a loss of amniotic fluid before her arrival at defendant's office.
Plaintiff alleges this is where the medical malpractice begins, arguing that the standard of care would be to send her to the hospital for further evaluation. But no non-stress tests are provided, and the woman is sent home after being told she will undergo induction later that week.
Two days later, she goes to the hospital with contractions three minutes apart, bleeding, and blood clots. She states she does not feel the baby moving, and fetal monitoring reveals moderate viability but with positive, late decelerations. The plaintiff is only two centimeters dilated and 90% effaced. She is admitted to the hospital under the care of defendant doctor with a possible abruption.
That afternoon, plaintiff experiences a drop in her blood pressure when she is five centimeters dilated. By evening, she is having increased abdominal pain and is found to be pale. Plaintiff is allegedly told of her condition. A couple of hours later, she is found to be six centimeters dilated, but her membranes have ruptured, and she is noted to have thick meconium, which is an additional factor that warrants delivery of the baby in a timely fashion. Defendants also find that the baby is large and that his head is not descending properly, which is another indication for delivery. However, defendants decide they will re-check plaintiff in one hour.
When they recheck her, she is still only six centimeters dilated and 100% effaced. The doctors decide to watch her, which is allegedly contrary to the standard of care. They administer Pitocin and find that there was minimal to moderate variability. Later that night, they state they are going to take her for a cesarean section. It is unclear whether this is in the medical records or is a report from the patient.
But she is not taken for a cesarean section. She receives an epidural bolus. The fetal heart rate drops. The woman is moved to the operating room, where the baby is delivered 18 minutes later. During delivery, a large amount of blood comes from the woman's uterus. The infant had suffered such distress that he suffers acidosis. He is transferred to a different hospital with brain damage. He dies the following day.
The plaintiff alleges that the actions of these doctors led to the death of her newborn son.
Additional CommentsYou are entitled to compensation and justice if you have suffered as a result of the negligence of a doctor. Miller & Zois can help you, as we have a history, as you will see above of earning large verdicts and settlements in hospital malpractice claims. Call us today to speak with an attorney at (800) 553-8082 or get a free online consultation.
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