The state of Iowa has agreed on a settlement from a lawsuit filed against the University of Iowa Hospitals by Jonathan and Martha Fountain for negligence of their son during his birth. The state has agreed to pay the family $3.75 million.
According to sfgate.com, the delivery of the Fountains' baby by the University of Iowa hospitals caused him to have severe brain injuries that caused him to be severely retarded. The child suffers from cerebral palsy and many other serious health conditions.
The case involved the use of a cutting-edge synthetic hormone called Pitocin that is meant to speed up the labor process. According to the case lawyer, the drug actually does the opposite. It prolongs labor and can cause a lack of blood flow to the baby's brain, which was what caused the health problems in the Fountains' child.
Lawyers for the university hospitals have denied that the Pitocin caused the actual problems with the birth, attributing it to other factors than complications of birth.
Regardless, the State Appeal Board of Iowa has approved the settlement for $3.75 million and has released a 12-page statement saying just that. The settlement money will help the family raise their child and take care of he medical expenses that they will face.
Diaz will receive $900,000 over 10 years for the work that he did on the case. The award also waived an outstanding medical bill for for care.
Martha Fountain was in labor for a total of 28 hours. Reports showed that the excessive contractions caused by the Pitocin caused head trauma to the baby.
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