A jury awarded a Pennsylvania woman $4 million in compensatory damages for her daughter’s pertussis birth injury. In 2010, her daughter died after only 32 days. The mother insists that doctors failed to diagnose her daughter in enough time to save her.

About Pertussis

Pertussis (whooping cough) is an incredibly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The bacteria attaches itself to the thin lining of the upper respiratory system. Then, it causes damage and swelling of the airways. Pertussis spreads by coughing or sneezing. The infection period is up to two weeks from when a cough starts. Vaccination is the number one way to avoid this contagious illness.
However, the first vaccine isn’t given until a baby is two months old. Babies are most at-risk during the first six months of life, and those younger than two months have very limited antibodies as protection. Complications from the disease include pneumonia, convulsions, slow breathing, brain disease, seizures and even death.

Pertussis Birth Injury

Before giving birth, the mother began to experience symptoms of pertussis. Her baby was born three weeks premature and developed a cough. The woman took her daughter to multiple visits requesting testing of her daughter. The mother told doctors that she had recently traveled to a pertussis outbreak area, and she wanted her daughter to be tested. However, after two visits the newborn did not show any signs of whooping cough. Therefore, doctors did not do anything and dismissed the mother’s concerns.
One night, the mother rushed the baby to urgent care, however, a doctor there told her to use over-the-counter cough suppressants. As the child’s cough worsened, an X-ray showed bronchitis. Then, a doctor prescribed an inhaler. Days after the bronchitis diagnosis, the infant was back in the ER. This time, she was cyanotic and seizing. Medical staff placed her on life support, and she died six days later. She was placed on life support and died just six days later.
The jury found the pediatric office at fault along with two other doctors and awarded the mother $4 million.

Costs Associated with Birth Injuries

Birth injuries are often lifelong complications that require consistent medical treatment and rehabilitation. Depending upon the severity of the injuries, the financial costs associated with birth injuries can range from several thousand to over a million during the lifespan of a child with birth injuries.
For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the lifetime costs associated with a child who has cerebral palsy (CP) is around $1 million. The costs associated with a child who suffers hearing loss after a birth injury typically ranges around $400,00.
We know that money could never replace your child if he or she died from a pertussis birth injury. However, it is important to remember that if your child’s birth injuries are a result of medical negligence and carelessness, the medical staff, hospital, and/or physician may be liable for damages. It is important to make sure the medical staff never hurts another child again. A complex litigation attorney can help. At The Michael Brady Lynch Firm, our lawyers have decades of experience helping injured people get justice and full compensation for injuries caused by negligence. The Michel Brady Lynch Firm regularly takes on the largest corporations in the world with a track records of proven success and results. Contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm today, and our attorneys will review your case for free and help you protect your rights. For your complimentary consultation, call our office now.