A doctor working out of Bayfront Health Port Charlotte hospital has lost a recent medical malpractice lawsuit, according to a Wink News report. Earlier this year, a jury found Dr. Michael Coffey 70 percent responsible for a 2010 birth that resulted in a severe brain injury. The jury found the hospital, which was named Peace River Regional at the time of the incident, 30 percent responsible. The mother of the child alleges she visited Dr. Coffey, who is still on staff at the hospital, during her pregnancy looking for treatment because of decreased fetal movement as well as other concerns.
Birth Injury Lawsuits
Lawsuits involving birth injuries are not uncommon. The following injuries may occur during a traumatic delivery: cerebral palsy; mental retardation; developmental delay; shoulder dystocia; seizures; and brain injury caused by improper use of assisted vaginal delivery devices, to name a few.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 2.5 million ER visits, hospitalizations or deaths are a result of a traumatic brain injury in whole or in part. Roughly 10,000 children are hospitalized with brain injuries annually.
Commonly known as a “TBI”, a traumatic brain injury occurs when an injury to the head results in a disruption of the normal function of the brain. This may occur by way of lack of oxygen – as in the Port Charlotte hospital case – or a jolt, bump, blow or a penetrating head injury. Not all head injuries result in a brain injury. Additionally, the severity of a brain injury can vary. Symptoms may be mild or even severe. Mild symptoms of a brain injury can include memory loss, difficulty concentrating or paying attention, loss of balance or dizziness, in addition to fatigue and headaches. Moderate symptoms from a brain injury may include confusion, delayed speed of processing, problems reading and writing as well as slurred speech. Severe symptoms from a brain injury can cause physical and cognitive deficits such as memory, sensory processing, attention, language processing, vision, hearing, and tasting issues as well as possible seizures.
Brain Injury Attorney Bronx
Brain injuries resulting from a traumatic birth or any other triggering event that causes a brain injury, can be overwhelming and emotional for the family because often times the injuries sustained are permanent. If your baby or a loved one has suffered a brain injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact one of the most aggressive brain injury attorney Bronx can offer. With years of experience successfully litigating traumatic brain injury cases – as well as many other personal injury cases for its clients – the Law Offices of Jeffrey Kestenbaum will fight for the rights of victims and their families. Call (718) 237-5586 to schedule your initial consultation. The most aggressive brain injury attorney Bronx residents can turn to can help families pick up the pieces after a life altering event resulting from a traumatic birth or other injury.
