2024
Verdict or Settlement Highest Reported Coles County
AWARDS
Baby’s Delivery Delayed Despite Placental Abruption $40,000,000
PLAINTIFF ASKED $35M - $37M DEFENSE OFFER $3M VERDICT $40M
Not pictured: Michael F. Bonamarte IV
P laintiff’s mother was 40 weeks into her pregnancy when she experienced sudden bleeding, clotting, and significant pain. She was admitted to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center with a suspected placental abruption. The nurse contacted the on-call obgyn physi- cian at home, who instructed her to call back with up- dates. Soon after, fetal monitoring showed signs of dis- tress. The obgyn came to the hospital and performed an
emergency C-section. Plaintiff newborn was delivered with an initial Apgar score of 1. Her score improved, but hours later, she suffered hypoxic ischemic encephalopa- thy. Plaintiff has mild cerebral palsy, speech and devel- opmental delays, and a seizure disorder. Plaintiffs claim the obgyn should have performed a C-section sooner. The defense argued the baby’s injuries occurred at home before the mother came to the hospital.
84 JURY VERDICT REPORTER • 2024 ANNUAL TRIAL LAWYER EXCELLENCE AWARDS
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