Faulty equipment blamed for improper diagnosis: $78M
AT 36 WEEKS’ GESTATION, a woman went to the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain. After ultrasonography (US), a nurse told her the fetus had died in utero, but the mother continued to feel fetal movement. The ED physician requested a second US, but it took 75 minutes for a radiology technician to arrive. This US showed a beating fetal heart with placental abruption. After cesarean delivery, the child was found to have cerebral palsy.
PATIENT’S CLAIM The first US was performed by an inexperienced technician using outdated equipment and the wrong transducer. An experienced technician with newer equipment should have been immediately available. The ED physician did not react when fetal distress was first identified.
DEFENDANTS’ DEFENSE The ED physician was told that the baby had died. Perhaps the child’s heart had started again by the time the second US was performed and a heartbeat found. The hospital denied negligence.
VERDICT A Pennsylvania jury found the ED physician not negligent; the hospital was 100% at fault. A $78.5 million verdict included $1.5 million in emotional distress to the mother, $10 million in pain and suffering for the child, $2million in lost future earnings, and the rest in future medical expenses.
Ligated ureter found after hysterectomy
A 50-YEAR-OLD WOMAN underwent laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy. She went to the ED with pain 6 days later. Imaging studies indicated a ligated ureter; a nephrostomy tube was placed. She required a nephrostomy bag for 4 months and underwent two repair operations.
PATIENT’S CLAIM The patient’s ureter was ligated and/or constricted during surgery. The gynecologist was negligent in failing to recognize and repair the injury during surgery.
PHYSICIAN’S DEFENSE The ureter was not ligated during surgery; therefore it could not have been discovered. In addition, injury to a ureter is a known risk of the procedure.
VERDICT An Arizona defense verdict was returned.
Myomectomy after cesarean; mother dies
IMMEDIATELY AFTER A WOMAN with preeclampsia had a cesarean delivery, she underwent a myomectomy. The day before discharge, her abdominal incision opened and a clear liquid drained. The day after discharge, she went to the ED with intense abdominal pain. Necrotizing fasciitis was found and debridement surgery performed. She was transferred to another hospital but died of sepsis several days later.
ESTATE’S CLAIM The infection occurred because the myomectomy was performed immediately following cesarean delivery. Prophylactic antibiotics were not prescribed before surgery. The mother was not fully informed as to the risks of concurrent operations. The ObGyns failed to recognize the infection before discharging the patient.
PHYSICIANS’ DEFENSE The patient was fully informed of the risks of surgery; it was reasonable to perform myomectomy immediately following cesarean delivery. There were no signs or symptoms of infection before discharge. Cesarean incisions open about 30% of the time—not a cause for concern. Prophylactic antibiotics for cesarean procedures are not standard of care. The patient’s infection was caused by a rapidly spreading, rare bacterium.
VERDICT A Michigan defense verdict was returned.
TOLAC to cesarean: baby has cerebral palsy
A WOMAN WANTED A TRIAL OF LABOR after a previous cesarean delivery (TOLAC). During labor, fetal distress was noted, and a cesarean delivery was performed. Uterine rupture had occurred. The baby has spastic cerebral palsy with significantly impaired neuromotor and cognitive abilities.
PARENTS’ CLAIM The hospital staff and physicians overlooked earlier fetal distress. A timelier delivery would have prevented the child’s injuries.
DEFENDANTs’ DEFENSE The hospital reached a confidential settlement. The ObGyns claimed fetal tracings were not suggestive of uterine rupture; they met the standard of care.
VERDICT A Texas defense verdict was returned.
Problems escalate after amniocentesis
WHEN GESTATIONAL DIABETES WAS DIAGNOSED at 33 weeks’ gestation, a family practitioner (FP) referred the mother to an ObGyn practice. Two ObGyns performed amniocentesis to check fetal lung maturity. After the procedure, fetal distress was noted, and the ObGyns instructed the FP to induce labor.
The baby suffered brain damage, had seizures, and has cerebral palsy. She was born without kidney function. By age 10, she had 2 kidney transplant operations and functions at a pre-kindergarten level.
PATIENT’S CLAIM The mother was not fully informed of the risks of and alternatives to amniocentesis. Although complications arose before amniocentesis, the test proceeded. The ObGyns were negligent in not performing cesarean delivery when fetal distress was detected.
DEFENDANTS’ DEFENSE The FP and hospital settled prior to trial. The ObGyns claimed that their care was an appropriate alternative to the actions the patient claimed should have been taken.
VERDICT Costs for the child’s care had reached $1.4 million before trial. A $9 million Virginia verdict was returned that included $7 million for the child and $2 million for the mother, but the settlement was reduced by the state cap.