U.S. Air Force Pays $5 million for Injuries Resulting in CP

The U.S. Air Force has paid a family $5 million for injuries sustained during childbirth at a military hospital. This is a record amount for government settlement payments to children who have suffered brain damage as a result of negligence of government employees.

Aubrey Duckworth was born with cerebral palsy after her mother's uterus ruptured during the birthing process. This deprived Aubrey's brain of oxygen for a prolonged amount of time. Aubrey's parents claim that the nurse midwife was grossly negligent and guilty of malpractice.

The midwife repeatedly increased the dosage of a drug designed to stimulate uterine contractions--despite signs that the uterus was overly stimulated. The nurse was the only one on the scene when the uterus eventually ruptured. An obstetrician was called to the scene to perform an emergency c-section, but it was too late to prevent brain injury.

The parents attorney filed a claim with the Navy in 2005 but it took the Navy and Air Force two and a half years to decide the claim.

Nurses, midwives and doctors are not immune to committing mistakes during the birthing process. These mistakes can result in permanent injury that can effect your child for a lifetime. If you believe that your child's cerebral palsy may be the result of medical negligence, contact a cerebral palsy attorney right away by calling 1 800 ATTORNEY.