In what has been said to be the largest medical malpractice award in Connecticut state history, a couple has been awarded $58 million for the life-long care of their son born with severe brain injuries.

A jury in the Waterbury Superior Court has ruled in favor of Dominic and Cathy D'Attilo of Norwalk, who sued for damages against Stamford obstetrician Dr. Richard Viscarello of Maternal-Fetal Care. The couple claimed that the doctor failed to deliver baby Danny when necessary which resulted in his severe brain damage.

According to the D'Atillo's attorneys, Dr. Viscarello made significant errors during Mrs. D'Atillo's pregnancy and birth that caused Daniel's Cerebral Palsy. They maintain that the doctor delayed Mrs. D'Atillo's Caesarean section despite the fact that her amniotic fluid had decreased by half. The attorneys have also claimed that when Dr. Viscarello finally did the C-section, he made incisions in the wrong part of the mother's body.

When Danny was born, he was pale and was not moving or breathing. Miraculously, he still had a very faint heartbeat. In the five weeks that followed his birth, the now 8-year-old Danny was transferred from hospital to hospital where he was eventually diagnosed with the Cerebral Palsy that would forever shape his life.

Danny's Cerebral Palsy is so severe that he cannot eat, walk or even talk on his own. This puts a considerable strain on his parents to make sure he is taken care of for the future.

The costs for caring for a child with Cerebral Palsy can be outrageous. In the eight years alone since Danny's birth, the D'Atillo family has incurred over $500,000 in medical bills, and they have had to make countless tough choices in relation to their financial circumstances. Because of this, it comes as a relief to the D'Atillo's that the ruling was rightfully in their favor. This money will ensure that Danny can have the best care in life so that he may reach his full potential.

For a lot of families, the costs for caring for a child with Cerebral Palsy can add up to more than $1 million before the child reaches 18 years of age. For many others, however, costs can soar far beyond the million dollar mark. If you feel that your child's Cerebral Palsy was caused medical negligence, contact an attorney to see what rights you have and ensure your child receives the best care possible.