Medical Malpractice: Birth Injury
Settlement: $3,085,000 ($1,000,000-present cash value)

Plaintiff's mother went to her obstetrician's office at approximately 30-32 weeks gestation complaining of leakage of clear fluid per vagina. She was seen on first occasion by obstetrician, cultured and reassured. When symptoms continued, she was seen in the office by obstetrician's nurse practitioner. No tests (such as nitrazine or ferning) were done. The nurse practitioner sent patient home with reassurance that there was no premature rupture of membranes, without consulting with M.D. Four days later, mother presented with chills, cramps and chorioamnionitis. Baby born in face of chorioamnionitis, was septic, and suffered from periventricular leukomalacia ("PVL").