Maternal Seizure, Fetal Distress & Delayed Delivery

A young woman pregnant with her first child was admitted a hospital for delivery. She had a childhood history of seizures, known to the caregivers, but had not had a seizure in many years. During labor, which can increase the risk of seizures, she had a severe seizure, and the fetus’ heart rate began to drop. Even though the mother was given Valium and the seizure ended after a couple of minutes, the fetal heart rate and pattern continued to deteriorate. The baby girl was not delivered for about 40 minutes after the seizure ended, with the result that she suffered HIE, massive brain injury, quadriplegia, and ultimately cerebral palsy due to the lack of oxygen during that time. Suit was brought against the hospital and its on-call employee obstetrician, alleging that he negligently refused to perform a C-section once the seizure ended, when it was desperately needed to rescue the baby. Clore Law Group, LLC tried the case to jury verdict in Chicago, Illinois over the course of 6 weeks or so, and the jury verdict was against the hospital and in favor of the woman and her child for $17,070,000.

• Practice Area
  Birth Injury
• Attorney
  Mark D. Clore
• Outcome
  $17,070,000 Jury Verdict