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Childbirth is supposed to be a life-changing, miraculous event in a woman’s life. However, things can go incredibly wrong during childbirth, leading to life-altering medical repercussions. At times, these incidents can be attributed to medical malpractice on the part of the facility where the mother gave birth.
A jury in Cook County has awarded a mother and her son a monumental $53 million dollar verdict in a medical malpractice case. The case involved Lisa and Isaiah Ewing and the University of Chicago Medical Center. Isaiah Ewing has severe cerebral palsy and requires his mother to feed, clothe, and bathe him. He is also confined to a wheelchair.
The award included $28.8 million for future caretaking expenses for the child. This is the largest-ever verdict in Cook County.
The lawsuit, filed by Lisa Ewing, outlined about 20 missteps allegedly performed by doctors and nurses after Ewing arrived at University of Chicago Medical Center about 40 weeks pregnant. She was experiencing decreased fetal movement when she arrived.
The mistakes, the lawsuit alleged, included the failure to adequately monitor mother and baby, failure to perform a timely c-section, follow a chain of command, and to be aware of abnormal heart rate patterns that indicated stress to the baby.
Before the case even went to a jury, however, the hospital filed for a mistrial.
The hospital’s lawyer claimed, “Fieger’s closing argument shattered the line between zealous advocacy and improper prejudicial comments, rendering it impossible for the defendant to receive a fair trial.”
Judge Kirby, who presided over the trial, did not confirm the verdict based on the pending motions for a mistrial.
The attorney for the Ewings stated that he expects the judge to confirm the verdict.
If you believe that you have been the victim of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the “Strong Arm” attorneys at the law offices of John Foy & Associates. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.
