Dawn Collins, JD

Oxytocin is one of the most frequently used drugs during labor but it can also become a major issue in a malpractice case filed after a labor and delivery if there is an adverse outcome. PLUS: Carolyn Zelop, MD, provides commentary on a lawsuit involving a patient death during pregnancy due to cardiomyopathy.

A patient filed a lawsuit on behalf of her child alleging negligence by her obstetrician in delaying the delivery when she was in the hospital contracting and had severe abdominal pain. Thus, her uterus was allowed to rupture, which caused the child’s severe brain injury. Plus more malpractice cases.

In 2012, a Virginia woman began receiving prenatal care for her seventh pregnancy, during which she was diagnosed with Type II diabetes and obesity. During the delivery, shoulder dystocia was encountered. The baby's right arm was noted to be limp and she was diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury. The woman sued those involved with the delivery, claiming that during the course of her care, the history, physical examinations, and tests showed she had an increased risk for encountering shoulder dystocia during a vaginal delivery.

Allegations in this case include extended use of oxytocin and allowing labor to continue too long.

Looking at the legal issues surrounding placental abruption, amniocentesis, cerebral palsy, bowel perforation, incontinence, and necrotizing fasciitis.

A review of several lawsuits covering acid solution errors, prolapse, fetal weight, breast cancer diagnosis, and complications following fibroid embolization.

A woman was 30 weeks pregnant when she went to her physician complaining of headaches.

A Michigan woman was just over 40 weeks' gestation when she was sent to a hospital for a nonstress test.

An Illinois woman delivered her first child in 1999 by cesarean delivery and minutes thereafter experienced uterine atony with severe blood loss.

An Ohio woman had a cesarean delivery in 2007 and was later diagnosed with a foreign body in her abdomen.

A New York woman went to her gynecologist for an exam in 2005, complaining of a lump in her left breast.

The woman sued the original hospital and ER physician, alleging negligence by the doctor in failing to recognize the need for an emergency cesarean section.

A Wisconsin woman filed a lawsuit against the US for prenatal care provided by a community health center funded by the federal government.

A woman underwent a hysterectomy by a gynecologist employed by a government-run clinic and sued for negligence.

A 26-year-old Illinois woman had significant vaginal bleeding 3 weeks after her delivery.

A 41-year-old Kansas woman claims her gynecologist performed an unnecessary hysterectomy.

A woman at 36 weeks' gestation had an external fetal monitor placed about 2 hours after her arrival at the hospital.

Shoulder dystocia occurred during delivery of a large baby and doctor was sued for not performing C/S.

Woman who has huge dermoid ovarian cyst removed sues doctor for failure to diagnose it sooner.

Gynecologist fails to diagnose bladder cancer for 2 years.

A woman having laparoscopic surgery sustains bowel injury.

A 67-year-old woman who had surgery for ovary removal experiences ureter injury.

A pregnant woman who showed positive for group B strep when pregnant was overlooked at time of delivery and so no antibiotics were given until the following day.

No follow up was given to a woman with lump on breast after baby is born.

Clinical situations that typically result in litigation and the variation in jury verdicts and awards across the nation.

Clinical situations that typically result in litigation and the variation in jury verdicts and awards across the nation.

Clinical situations that typically result in litigation and the variation in jury verdicts and awards across the nation.

Clinical situations that typically result in litigation and the variation in jury verdicts and awards across the nation.

Clinical situations that typically result in litigation and the variation in jury verdicts and awards across the nation.