Medical Malpractice: Birth injury
Settlement: $2,700,000 cash

20 year old mother entered hospital and came under care of obstetrician covering for her clinic. She had meconium present, and signs of possible early fetal stress on admission. She was put in a "low risk" area, under the care of an inexperienced labor and delivery nurse. There, she developed an infection ("chorioamnionitis") and was started on antibiotics, but left on low risk floor. Fetal reserve diminished, and fetal distress occurred, manifested by severe brady- cardia. Cesarean section not done, but baby born vaginally 37 minutes after terminal bradycardia.