Situation:
Negligent Obstetrician Care Management Plan Results in Mother's Death Due to Medical Malpractice
The personal injury attorneys of Chicago's Lipkin & Apter were asked by another law firm to investigate a possible medical malpractice case involving the death of a 29 year old woman who went into premature labor 22 weeks into her pregnancy. The woman had two prior pregnancies, delivering 2 healthy sons without complication. This was followed by a third pregnancy resulting in a uterine rupture and miscarriage in the 28th week of pregnancy.
A year and a half later, the woman presented to a local hospital late at night, complaining of severe abdominal pain. She was 22 weeks pregnant, not in labor. The Emergency Room physician learned of the prior history of uterine rupture, writing this into her medical chart. The patient was admitted into the hospital for observation, and assigned an on-call obstetrician. By the time the obstetrician first evaluated the patient 4 hours later, she had begun to labor. A short time later, her water broke, meaning that the labor could not be delayed, and she would soon deliver.
The lawyers at Lipkin & Apter were able to prove that the care management plan by the obstetrician was negligent, as was the nursing care provided by the hospital. Our medical malpractice claim showed that obstetrical guidelines indicated that a woman with prior history of uterine rupture must not be allowed to actively labor. Instead, an immediate cesarean section would be required, because the risk of another uterine rupture - a life threatening event - was significant.
Successful Resolution: $3,200,000
This unfortunate young woman was allowed to labor, was not closely monitored by nursing staff or the obstetrician and suffered a second uterine rupture and massive internal bleeding, causing her death. She left behind her 2 sons, then ages 5-7.
Lipkin & Apter' lawyers obtained a $3.2 million medical malpractice settlement just before the case was to begin trial.
When it is necessary to visit the hospital for emergency care, you deserve confidence that the medical staff providing your care is skilled and caring. Unfortunately, there are times when negligence results in medical malpractice claims. If you have experienced this, the lawyers of Lipkin & Apter are available to speak with you during a free consultation.