Induced Labor Fetal Distress Uterine Rupture Brain Damage $1.5 Million Confidential Settlement

December 07, 1998

Medical Malpractice

Induced Labor Fetal Distress Uterine Rupture Brain Damage $1.5 Million Confidential Settlement

Brief Statement of Claim: The plaintiff claimed that pitocin-induced labor caused fetal distress and uterine rupture, resulting in the birth of an infant with Apgar scores of 0, 0 and 3; and that the lack of a resuscitation team present resulted in the child having neurological brain damage, athetoid cerebral palsy, speech difficulties and normal cognitive function.

Principal Injuries (in order of severity): Neurologic brain injury, athetoid cerebral palsy and speech difficulties

Special Damages: n/a

Tried or settled: Settled

County where tried or settled: Confidential

Case Name and number: Confidential

Date Concluded: August 31, 1998

Name of Judge: n/a

Amount: $1.5 million

Insurance Carrier: n/a

Expert Witnesses and areas of expertise: Michael Goodman, M.D., FACOG, obstetrics, Rockville MD; Norbert Gleicher, M.D., obstetrics, Chicago; Charles B. Brill, M.D., pediatric neurology, Philadelphia; Michael Tennison, M.D., pediatric neurology, Chapel Hill; Kenneth Harkavy, M.D., neonatologist, Washington, D.C.; George Peckham, M.D., neurologist, Villanova, PA; James Young, M.D., neuropsychology/life care plan, Chicago; Cynthia Wilhelm, Ph.D., life care plan, Chapel Hill; Donna M. Keith, RN, labor and delivery, Emerald Isle, NC; Irene Tozer, RN, BSN, labor and delivery, Greenville NC

Attorneys for plaintiff: Wade E. Byrd, Fayetteville, and L. Lamar Armstrong, Smithfield

Other Useful Info: n/a