$30 million malpractice settlement for baby’s brain injury

In many medical malpractice cases, a settlement is reached before the case goes to trial or even after the trial has started. In one Midwest state, a recent settlement in a malpractice case will see two university hospitals paying a portion of the $30 million settlement.

The victim in this case, a baby born in late 2009, has suffered catastrophic brain injuries because of complications during surgery. A pediatric surgeon operated 24 times on the baby in an attempt to repair a leak in his esophagus. The final surgery — all of which were experimental — occurred in 2011. During that surgery, the pediatric surgeon severed the baby’s pulmonary artery with a suturing device.

The pediatric surgeon has been a faculty member at one of the university hospitals for over 18 years. The $10 million that will be paid by that university is covered by a medical malpractice self-insurance program offered by the university. The baby was also operated on at another university hospital and that one is responsible for paying $20 million in the settlement.

When medical malpractice occurs, it can be very difficult for the victim and his or her family to understand all of the problems that might have happened that led to the injury or death. When speaking with a Connecticut medical malpractice attorney, you should try to find out if the law firm has the necessary resources to find medical experts that will be needed if the case goes to trial. You want answers for what has happened to you or your loved one. Your attorney should be able to give those answers to you and to present a strong case in court for the damages you are seeking.

Source: Chicago Tribune, “U. of I. to pay $10 million of $30 million medical malpractice settlement,” Ameet Sachdev, Feb. 25, 2016