Failure to Recognize Neonatal Hypoglycemia - $2,250,000 Settlement

Our attorneys obtained a mediated settlement of $2,250,000 on behalf of a male infant who now suffers from blindness, developmental delay and cognitive deficits, and who also had his pancreas removed, after nursing staff failed to follow proper protocols when the infant showed signs of hypoglycemia. The infant was born weighing 10 pounds, 7-1/2 ounces, which should have triggered blood screening tests at one, two, four, six and eight hours of age. Any tests revealing low blood sugar levels required that a blood sample be drawn and sent for analysis. In this case, the infant's six-hour test was conducted at seven hours of age, and came back showing low blood sugar. However, the protocol requiring that blood be drawn and sent to the lab was not followed. The infant's parents were never told of the abnormal result or warned to look for signs of hypoglycemia. At 24 hours of age, the infant and his parents were discharged. On the second morning at home, his mother had a hard time rousing him, and he presented at Urgent Care lethargic, not nursing, and with purple feet. He then suffered several seizures and was admitted to the hospital. Tests revealed that he had nesidioblastosis, a disease of the pancreas, resulting in profound, unremitting hypoglycemia. An MRI revealed evidence of posterior cerebral artery infarction, consistent with the diagnosis of severe hypoglycemia. Ultimately, nearly all of the infant's pancreas had to be removed. The settlement in this case was structured to pay monthly guaranteed payments to help offset future costs of attendant and nursing care and to supplement health insurance coverage and public program benefits, plus $732,000 to be paid into a trust on the infant's behalf.

If your child has suffered a birth injury, we want to hear your story. If medical negligence or medical malpractice was involved, our lawyers want to help. Contact the attorneys at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger in San Francisco for a free consultation.

Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Hospital Infant Injury Lawyers
San Francisco, California

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