Medical Malpractice
Anonymous v. Anne Arundel Medical Center, Inc.
Filed January 13, 2016
This is a catastrophic cerebral palsy birth injury case against Anne Arundel County Medical Center. This case was filed in 2016. The alleged negligence of the hospital was 14 years ago in 2004. This is the second birth injury lawsuit (that we know of) that has been filed against AACO this year. Our law firm, Miller & Zois, filed a birth injury claim against this hospital in January.
Jurisdiction
- Anne Arundel County
Defendants
- Anne Arundel Medical Center
- An OB/GYN D.O. who was formerly at AAMC
Hospitals Where Treatment Was Received
- Anne Arundel Medical Center
- Johns Hopkins
Summary of Plaintiff’s Allegations
A 37-year-old woman, who is 24 weeks pregnant, presents to Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) in Annapolis, Maryland with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). The soon-to-be mother’s obstetrician makes orders for steroids and antibiotics, attempting to manage the pregnancy rather than perform a cesarean delivery.
During the next eight days, the baby’s heart rate is barely monitored, and no ultrasound testing is performed to determine its well-being. On the 9th day at AAMC, the mother’s vital signs reveal that she has a 101-degree fever and that she and the baby’s heart rates are both extremely high.
The mother’s obstetrician is notified of the fever and elevated heart rates by an AAMC nurse. The obstetrician should have immediately delivered the baby, via cesarean section, given that symptoms such as these in a woman who is just 24 weeks pregnant, coupled with PPROM, substantially increase the risks of placental abruptions, neurodevelopmental problems, and cerebral palsy. Instead of coming to the hospital to deliver the baby, the obstetrician orders the administration of drugs to stop the labor process.
Upon a vaginal examination six hours later, obstetrician discovers that the mother is one centimeter dilated and the baby is in breech position. It is noted that during those six hours the AAMC nurses failed to continuously monitor the baby’s heart rate. Rather than perform an immediate cesarean section, the obstetrician orders the administration of drugs to induce a natural delivery.
The mother is in delivery for about one and a half hours during which time the baby’s heart rate is allegedly not monitored by the nurses. It is only after the nurses observe bleeding from the mother’s vagina that the baby is hooked up to a fetal monitor which shows ominous and deep variable decelerations. The obstetrician, rather than proceeding immediately to an emergency delivery, keeps the mother in the labor and delivery room for another 15 minutes before taking her to the operating room. The mother gives birth to a baby girl in the operating room 10 minutes later.
The baby girl is barely breathing and is suffering from seizures, brain bleeds, and blindness (among other symptoms). No matter how you slice it, this case is an awful tragedy. The now 12-year-old girl has cerebral palsy, is severely brain damaged, and dependent in all activities of daily living. She requires round the clock care.
The baby’s parents file a medical negligence lawsuit on her behalf in Anne Arundel County, alleging that the obstetrician and AAMC violated the standard of care by failing to (1) order timely and appropriate antibiotics, (2) conduct appropriate and careful examinations, (3) continuously monitor the baby, and (4) immediately deliver the baby (on multiple occasions). It is contended that due to the Defendants’ negligence, the baby was caused to suffer painful and permanent injuries to her body, sustain severe mental anguish and emotional pain and suffering, and incur past hospital and medical expenses, future life care expenses, and future lost wages.
Negligence Allegations
- Failed to order timely and appropriate antibiotics
- Failed to conduct appropriate and careful examinations
- Failed to continuously monitor the baby
- Failed to immediately deliver the baby by c-section (on multiple occasions)
Specific Counts Pled
- Negligence
Plaintiff’s Experts and Areas of Specialty
- Martin Gubernick, M.D: Board certified in obstetrics and gynecology.
Getting a Lawyer for your Malpractice Claim
If your child has suffered from cerebral palsy or other birth injury, we can help you help you protect your child. Miller & Zois has a history of results in serious injuries and wrongful death case, earning seven-figure verdicts and settlements. Find out what we can do for your child today by calling 800-553-8082 or get a free, no-obligation online case review.
More Malpractice Claim Information
- What is the settlement value of a cerebral palsy claim?
- An overview of cerebral palsy claims
- How do you prove cerebral palsy is caused by medical malpractice?
- Malpractice lawsuits against Anne Arundel Medical Center
- Another malpractice lawsuit filed against Anne Arundel Medical Center in 2017, this one involving a simple gallbladder removal surgery that ended in death
- CALL our attorneys today at 800-553-8082 or get a free online medical malpractice injury and wrongful death claims. We handle cerebral palsy and birth injury cases throughout the entire state of Maryland.