Jury Delivers Justice to Boy with Cerebral Palsy announces MyAdvocates
Memphis, TN (PRWEB) July 30, 2013 -- A Memphis jury has delivered justice to a boy with cerebral palsy with the award of $33.5 million, announces MyAdvocates, the law firm of Janet, Jenner & Suggs, LLC. (Case number 003764-07 in the Circuit Court for Tennessee for the Thirtieth Judicial District at Memphis, Shelby County.) This video summarizes the events that led to this verdict.
According to evidence presented at trial, Jordan Long was born more than six hours after his mother was wheeled into a Memphis hospital at 10:45 a.m. on April 28, 2005. She had just been seen by a doctor at the UT Medical Group’s high risk obstetrical clinic, who sent her to the hospital “for delivery” along with test results showing her fetus was showing signs of stress and was at significant risk of injury if not delivered, evidence showed.
An investigation further revealed Jordan should have been delivered immediately following his mother’s arrival at the hospital, but instead, a plan was set calling for surgery and delivery by 3:30 p.m., nearly 80 minutes later than necessary.
Jordan was born with severe brain damage that left him with cognitive impairment, and a form of cerebral palsy known as spastic quadriplegia, which significantly restricts the ability to use arms and legs and control bodily functions.
Tragically, if the birth would have been accomplished even 15-to-20 minutes earlier Jordan’s injuries would have been prevented, according to evidence presented at trial.
“Eight years later, the defendants finally conceded this point,” said Steve Offutt, attorney for the boy’s family.
The jury found that delays in performing an urgently needed cesarean section resulted in Jordan developing severe brain damage and cerebral palsy, Mr. Offutt said. The award against obstetrician Gary Lipscomb, M.D, and his employer, UT Medical Group, Inc. will cover the cost of future health care needs and other damages.
“The jury delivered justice to this little boy, whose life was tragically and avoidably altered,” said Mr. Offutt. He was the lead trial attorney for the now eight-year-old child.
Nichole Carter, Jordan’s mother, said, “I am so thankful to Mr. Offutt and the firm of Janet, Jenner & Suggs for the hard work and financial resources they committed to Jordon’s cause. I am equally thankful to the jurors who were especially attentive and obviously took this case very seriously.”
Howard Janet, managing partner of JJ&S, praised Steve Offutt for helping to make a huge difference in Jordan’s life. Janet added, “Securing full justice for clients in cases of this nature is no easy task. We have been litigating cases involving cerebral palsy caused by preventable birth injuries throughout much of the country for more than 30 years. We believe bringing errors of this nature to light will help prevent similar errors in the future.”
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Janet, Jenner & Suggs is a national plaintiff’s law firm that practices extensively in the area of birth injuries and cerebral palsy, along with other forms of medical malpractice. The firm maintains offices in Maryland, South Carolina, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, DC, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Minnesota, and West Virginia, but practices in many other the states with special permission from the local court, and in conjunction with local counsel.
Teresa Kelly, My Advocates, 1-800-273-2645, [email protected]
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