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Hospital told to pay $17 mil. for brain damage
Dec 18, 2005 | Chicago Sun Times
A Cook County jury Thursday ordered St. Anthony Hospital to pay $17 million in damages to the family of a 7-year-old girl born with severe brain damage and cerebral palsy after an obstetrician delayed her delivery, lawyers for the plaintiffs said.A medical malpractice suit filed on behalf of the girl alleged the in-house obstetrician, Dr. Jacques Hercule, was negligent for waiting 20 to 25 minutes to perform an emergency Caesarean section on the girl's mother, Selene Araujo, who suffered a seizure during labor in 1998.
'I started crying'
The girl, 7-year-old Evelyn Araujo, was born with severe developmental problems that will likely require a lifetime of medical treatment and therapy, according to a statement issued by Anastopoulo & Clore, the South Carolina-based law firm representing the Araujo family.
Selene Araujo said she was pleased with the jury's decision.
"I started crying when I heard," she said. "It's for my daughter, and she's going to be able to have a better life."
The hospital would not disclose whether any disciplinary action had been taken against Hercule.
"We sympathize with the family involved in this case. While a verdict has been rendered, the parties have agreed to a confidential settlement," said St. Anthony President and CEO Kathleen DeVine in a statement.
Birth Injuries
