OHSU Faces Lawsuit after Breech Baby Vaginal Birth

According to the Oregonian, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) is facing a $25.6 million medical malpractice lawsuit due to brain injuries suffered during birth.

Details on the Oregon Health and Science University Breech Birth

• Kimberly Gates had originally planned to have a cesarian section at a Seattle hospital due to her child being in the breech position.
• However, upon researching the breech position, she came across Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) Lawsuit who claimed expertise in conducting such births vaginally.
• Gates cancelled her appointments with the Seattle hospital and decided to have the birth conducted at OHSU after meeting with doctors who assured her they would resort to cesarian section should the baby be in any danger.
• Two days after checking in to the hospital, the birth went wrong leading to Gates’ child, Howie, allegedly suffering “catastrophic, permanent and irreversible” brain damage.

About the Breech Birth Malpractice Lawsuit

• Gates is now suing Dr. Leonardo Pereira, Dr. Margaret O’Reilly and others for medical malpractice which she claims lead to her child’s injuries.
• According to the lawsuit, Howie had an abnormal heart beat for 20 minutes and the doctors did not resuscitate him in time.
• The lawsuit also claims that doctors did not adequately explain the dangers associated with the breech baby vaginal birth method they used, which was published only two months before Gates’ visit.
• A committee opinion by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, states that doctors generally prefer c-sections for breech babies and cites studies that risk of death and disease may higher in vaginal delivery than planned cesarian sections.

Contact an Experienced Child Injury Attorney

At Thomas J. Henry, we have the experience and resources to handle your child’s case. If your child has been the victim of a serious birth injury, contact our offices. We represent clients/victims all over the country. We are available 24/7, nights and weekends.