Oxygen Deprivation Birth Injury $21 Million Jury Award

When Shantiah and Joel Norfleet went to the Harbor Hospital in Baltimore, they did not expect a medical error would leave their child suffering severe cerebral palsy. When Shantiah went into labor, the baby was not getting enough oxygen. Oxygen deprivation can cause severe brain injury if it is not corrected. If the baby is in fetal distress and suffering from oxygen deprivation, treatment may include emergency C-section delivery. 

As a result of the delayed oxygen treatment, baby Jaylan Norfleet was born with a severe disability. After a medical malpractice lawsuit, a jury found the doctors involved in Jaylan Norfleet’s care should have performed a Caesarean section instead of a prolonged vaginal delivery. The jury awarded the family $21 million to provide for his future care and medical treatment. 

$21 Million Jury Verdict for Birth Injury

After an appeal by the hospital, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals upheld the award. The court, in a 3-0 decision, found the jury believed the experts on the side of the family. The jury agreed that the obstetrician’s failure to perform a C-section caused the child’s complications and cerebral palsy. 

Jaylan developed a type of cerebral palsy known as spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. The child is not mentally impaired but has motor function dysfunction that makes it difficult to control movement of his legs and arms. 

Of the $21 million jury award, $18 million is for medical care, $2 million is for loss of potential wages and income, and $1 million is for pain and suffering. The costs of treating cerebral palsy can be significant. This can include surgeries, therapy, medication, educational support, home modifications, and additional services that a patient may need for the rest of their lives. 

Experienced Birth Injury Medical Malpractice Attorney Representation 

Having the right lawyer on your side can make all the difference. The healthcare industry and insurance companies will fight back with everything they’ve got to win their case so they don’t have to pay anything to the injury victims, even if the doctors caused the injury. An aggressive and experienced trial attorney can make all the difference in making sure you get the compensation you deserve. 

When the Norfleets took their case to court, they had an experienced medical malpractice attorney on their side. Gilman & Bedigian, LLC have received numerous multi-million dollar settlements on behalf of their clients. Our experienced attorneys have a reputation in the legal community for serious medical malpractice cases and this experience made all the difference for families like the Norfleets after their child suffered a serious birth injury. 

Who to Call for Your Malpractice Case

It can be overwhelming to deal with an injury after a medical mistake. Instead of taking on the hospital on your own or dealing with an unresponsive insurance adjuster, talk to an experienced attorney about your case. Call your medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you suspect a medical mistake caused an injury. If you or a family member was injured because of a medical mistake, talk to the experienced team at Gilman & Bedigian. Contact us today for a free consultation.