Last month, Devon C. Bruce, a partner at Power Rogers, settled a medical malpractice case in Winnebago County, Illinois on behalf of a brain-damaged infant.
The minor Plaintiff was born at 25.5 weeks at Rockford Memorial Hospital. At 11 days of life, the plaintiff contracted three blood borne infections. Tragically, the infant suffered a hypoxic event as a result of the infections. The hypoxic event caused the infant to develop periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).
Plaintiff alleged that the Defendants negligently performed the hygiene and sanitary procedures in the NICU, which caused Plaintiff’s infection. Plaintiff further alleged that the Defendant Dr. Siddiqui, a neonatologist, and the RMH nursing staff failed to respond timely to identify and treat the infections. Plaintiff alleged that the cause of the infant Plaintiff’s PVL was the hypoxic event arising from the infection and not the Plaintiff’s premature birth.
Plaintiff has been diagnosed with permanent brain damage and requires 24 hour care. Plaintiff’s medical bills as of the date of settlement exceeded $1,000,000.00. Defendant contended that the risk of infection is common in neonates, that the PVL was caused by the Plaintiff’s premature birth and not the infection, and that the Plaintiff has a substantially reduced life expectancy.