Acts of medical malpractice that result in Birth injuries can be the most heartbreaking of cases. Mistakes by negligent staff during the birth process can result in long-term, permanent injuries. The same is true for negligent monitoring in the crucial hours following birth. Infants may sustain brain damage and other types of debilitating birth injuries.
A hospital in California has recently been fined by the Department of Public Health for its failure to ensure the safety and health of a newborn in its nursery. The Memorial Medical Center of Modesto was fined $100,000 over the incident, stemming from a 2012 investigation. According to an investigation report, medical staff failed to promptly notify doctors when an infant had extremely low blood glucose readings. The newborn ended up having seizures due to hypoglycemia.
This is not the only state administrative penalty that has been assessed against the medical center. It was fined $50,000 in 2011 after a 65-year-old patient died following outpatient laser surgery. The medical center was also fined $75,000 after staff performed leg surgery on the wrong patient in 2012.
The prevalence of medical mistakes and malpractice make it important for patients to be informed. Ensuring that one is seeking care from a reputable doctor and medical facility is not always enough to protect oneself against acts of malpractice. In many cases, including those in which an infant suffers a birth injury, a malpractice suit can be filed. While money may not be able to undo the damage caused by malpractice, it can provide victims with financial compensation. This can go towards medical bills, long-term care and other necessary expenses of the victim and his or her family.
Source: The Modesto Bee, “State fines Memorial Medical Center $100,000,” Ken Carlson, Aug. 15, 2013