$260,000 Settlement for Failure to Attempt Delayed Interval Delivery

Kimberly Williams went into labor at 20 weeks’ gestation. Full-term gestation is generally 39 weeks. She was admitted to Sinai Grace Hospital where she delivered a stillborn boy at the facility’s labor and delivery unit.

Later, Williams requested a repeat ultrasound. The treating obstetrician, Dr. Charlene Williams, declined to order the test and instead gave Cytotec to deliver the placenta.

The use of Cytotec is used to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pregnant women. Significantly, Cytotec may cause abortion, premature birth or birth defects if taken during a pregnancy.

Thirty minutes after the administration of Cytotec, a baby girl was delivered alive, still in her amniotic sac. After Dr. Williams broke the amniotic sac, the child took a single breath but, unfortunately, died.

The Williams family, on behalf of her deceased daughter’s estate, sued Sinai Grace Hospital and Dr. Charlene Williams claiming that they chose not to attempt a delayed interval delivery.

The Williams family alleged that a repeat ultrasound would have confirmed the presence of another fetus and that the physician should have attempted to keep her in the womb. In addition, the administration of Cytotec should not have been given.

The lawsuit also maintained that the defendant hospital and obstetrician wrongfully terminated the pregnancy of the second child without permission from Williams.

The defendants argued that the second fetus had not been viable.

Before trial, the parties settled for $260,000.

The attorney representing the Williams family and plaintiff in this lawsuit was John C. Kaplansky. In preparation for trial, the Williams family engaged an expert in obstetrics.

Williams v. DMC-Sinai Grace Hospital, No. 2015-010587-NH (Mich. Cir. Ct. Wayne County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling birth injury cases, wrongful death lawsuits, hospital negligence lawsuits, labor and delivery negligence lawsuits and traumatic brain injury cases for individuals, families and loved one who have been injured, harmed or killed by the negligence of a medical provider for more than 40 years, in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Crestwood, Forest Park, Brookfield, Melrose Park, Schiller Park, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Deerfield, Highland Park, Waukegan, Joliet, Darien, Evergreen Park, Country Club Hills, Chicago (Little Village, Lawndale, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, West Town, Ukrainian Village, Roscoe Village, Goose Island, Greek Town, Old Town, Bronzeville, Washington Park), Oak Lawn and Blue Island, Ill.