Jury Awards $22.6 Million For Birthing Injury

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.