Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Parents awarded $4 million for hospital's role in death of their infant with CP

From The AP:

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- A jury has awarded more than $4 million to the parents of a South Carolina infant who died after suffering a brain injury during birth.

The family's attorney says a York County jury ruled against Piedmont Medical Center. Hospital officials said Feb. 16 they were surprised by the verdict and are considering their legal options.

Robin and Brice Wilson's lawsuit argued that a nurse trainee assigned to the expectant mother misread fetal heart monitoring data that showed the child needed emergency intervention.

Their child, Sierra Wilson, was born Nov. 18, 2003, with a severe brain injury due to oxygen deprivation. She died three months later of complications from cerebral palsy.

Hospital officials offered sympathy but defended its handing of the care.