$4.4 Million Awarded After Death of Cerebral Palsy Victim

A jury has returned a verdict in the medical malpractice claim brought on behalf of 4 year old Sierra Wilson of South Carolina.  The child suffered a brain injury during birth, which resulted in Cerebral Palsy.  She died from complications of the illness.

According to the lawsuit, the girl’s mother, Robin Wilson, arrived at the Rock Hill hospital three days before she was scheduled to be induced, suffering from nausea and vomiting.  A nurse trainee was assigned to monitor Wilson, and the inexperienced practitioner misread the fetal heart monitoring device, failing to diagnose the baby’s distress.

Baby Sierra was subsequently born with a severe brain injury due to lack of oxygen before and during her birth.  She suffered from Cerebral Palsy, which caused her to have seizures and she was required to undergo almost daily therapy.  She was only able to eat through a feeding tube.

The settlement was much more than the Wilson’s expected: $4.4 million.  In fact, Sierra’s father Brice was quoted as saying, “I’ve never been in this for the money.  I’ve always wanted justice and vindication for my daughter. What she went through, she didn’t deserve.”

The hospital plans to appeal the decision.

Source:   HeraldOnline