Death of Two Triplets, Cerebral Palsy in Third in Case Alleging Delayed Delivery; $1.75M Settlement

Eight hours after healthcare providers discovered that a triplet died in utero, the two other triplets were delivered, one dying shortly thereafter and the third developing cerebral palsy. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants should have performed an emergency delivery immediately after discovering that the first triplet had died. The parties have settled for $1.75 million, reports an article in the August 2020 issue of Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts.

The triplets shared a placenta, with each having their own amniotic sac. The results of fetal testing were "reassuring," but because of one triplet's growth, a cesarean delivery was planned. The day after testing, the mother was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain. An ultrasound revealed that one of the triplets had died in utero at about 7:00 a.m. At 11:21 a.m., another triplet exhibited bradycardia. At 3:08 p.m., the other two triplets were delivered, both with hypoxic-ischemic injuries and cerebral palsy. One of these triplets died shortly after delivery. The surviving triplet has brain damage...