On July 2nd, an Ohio jury awarded what is being considered the largest medical malpractice settlement in the state’s history to the family of 8 year old Leondo Stanziano, who suffers from cerebral palsy as a result of a birth injury caused by medical negligence.
Stanziano was born at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton in December 2000. It was during his birth that he was deprived of oxygen for 18 to 20 minutes, resulting in permanent brain damage and cerebral palsy. As a result, the child will never be able to speak, cannot walk and will require 24 hour care for the rest of his life.
The family sued the hospital, Contemporary Obstetrics and Gynecology and Dr. Kendrin E. Van Steenwyk for damages, claiming that they knew the child’s mother, Renetha Stanziano, was at a high risk of her uterus rupturing but failed to properly monitor her and the infant during the birth. They also cite that the labor-inducing drug Pitocin was used improperly even after the patient’s uterus had become hyper-stimulated, ultimately causing it to rupture.
The jury found only the hospital to be negligent in their verdict, and awarded the victim and his family an incredible $31 million in compensatory damages. It is being reported, however, that in an effort to avoid lengthy appeals, the family has actually settled with the hospital for an undisclosed amount, which is likely much less than what the jury awarded them.
Birth injuries, such as cerebral palsy, can have lifelong effects on both the child and his or her family. If your child was a victim of a birth injury that was caused by a doctor’s negligence, you may have the right to receive compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering and more. Discuss your situation with a medical attorney today to find out more.
Click here to Subscribe to RSS Feed
