Jury Awards $22.6 Million For Birthing Injury

Scott Kappes

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A jury has awarded $22.6 million to a Cincinnati woman whose daughter suffered brain damage as a result of medical birthing mistake. In 1997 Heather Grow, pregnant with her first child, was diagnosed with a narrow pelvic arch. Despite this diagnosis and the fact that her baby was going to be big, nine pounds, she was allowed to have natural childbirth. During the delivery the baby’s head became stuck in the birth canal and remained lodged there for 13 hours before finally being delivered by cesarean section.

Moreover, Lisa Yang, the doctor who assisted Grow at birth continued to administer her drugs to make the uterus contract hoping the baby would come out. The result was the opposite, as the uterus kept on contracting on the baby’s stuck head, causing brain damage.

The child, Cassie, now 11-years-old will always be haunted by the brain damage she suffered as a result of poor decision-making by medical staff. Cassie is classified as a spastic quadriplegic, meaning that she does not have proper use of her limbs and can only walk for very short distances with the assistance of a walker. Cassie’s vision is impaired, has trouble using her hands and also suffers from mild retardation according to one of the attorneys representing the family.

The $22 million award is substantial; however, this money will never be able give Cassie what she truly deserves, a normal life.