$3 Million Jury Verdict in Negligent Discharge of Obstetrics Patient

Ms. Doe, 30, had a history of cesarean section, stillbirth and miscarriage. When she became pregnant again, she consulted with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. A plan was put in place for a cesarean delivery at 39 weeks gestation.

During the 37th week of Ms. Doe’s pregnancy, she went to a hospital emergency room complaining of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Although she was sent home, her pain persisted. Ms. Doe was admitted to the hospital two nights later.

The hospital’s hospitalist placed Ms. Doe on a fetal monitor, which changed from normal to indeterminate over a relatively short time span. Ms. Doe’s abdominal pain worsened, but she was discharged with instructions to follow up with her treating obstetrician in the morning.

Unfortunately, the following morning, Ms. Doe suffered a uterine rupture and her baby died.

Ms. Doe and her husband sued the hospitalist, alleging that the hospitalist chose not to keep Ms. Doe in the hospital for further observation in light of her continuing symptoms.

It was asserted that had the hospitalist kept Ms. Doe in the hospital, she could have gone for an emergency cesarean section that would have saved her baby.

Following a jury trial, the jurors signed a verdict for $3 million in Doe’s favor.

The attorneys representing the Doe family in this tragic case were Jonathan M. Petty and Brielle M. Hunt.

Doe v. Roe, No. CL 19-6545 (Va. Cir. Ct. Henrico County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling obstetrics negligence lawsuits, wrongful death lawsuits, birth injury lawsuits, cerebral palsy injury lawsuits, and hospital negligence cases for individuals, families and loved ones who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 45 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Crestwood, Orland Hills, Tinley Park, Elmhurst, Evanston, Wood Dale, Itasca, Des Plaines, Lincolnwood, Northfield, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Forest, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Hanover Park, Carol Stream, Hinsdale, Chicago (Old Irving Park, Ukrainian Village, Edgewater, Lakeview, Old Town, Near North Side, Noble Square, West Town, Lower West Side, South Loop, Belmont Gardens, Jefferson Park, Edison Park), Norridge, Franklin Park, Rosemont and Park Ridge, Ill.

Robert D. Kreisman has been an active member of the Illinois and Missouri bars since 1976.