Bruer and Buckley Obtain Defense Verdict in Medical Malpractice Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Elizabeth A. Bruer and Shannon E. Buckley secured a defense verdict at trial on behalf of their client, an obstetrician, in the Circuit Court of DuPage County, Illinois.
In this case, Plaintiff alleged that the defendant OB and L&D RN failed to appropriately manage the labor during the mother's pushing stage and should have ordered a cesarean (c-section) sooner. Plaintiff claimed that the delay in delivery resulted in a skull fracture and brain bleed, which caused depression at delivery, hypoxic ischemia, and the ultimate death of the newborn 12 hours after delivery. At trial, Bruer and Buckley maintained that the OB team recognized fetal tachycardia and appropriately responded with interventions. The OB made a timely decision to proceed to c-section for arrest of descent after just 2 hours of pushing, well within national guidelines on the duration of the second stage of labor. Defense experts also opined that excessive fetal exposure to heroin and alcohol during the first half of the pregnancy contributed to the neonate’s depression at delivery and ultimate demise.
The Plaintiff asked the jury for $10 million. The jury returned a verdict for the defense. The case was tried before Judge Angelo Kappas.
Elizabeth Bruer focuses her practice in the representation of hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other health care providers. Since joining the firm in 2002, Elizabeth has tried jury trials in medical negligence, product liability, and transportation matters. Learn more about Elizabeth and her practice here.
Shannon E. Buckley focuses her practice on healthcare and commercial litigation, representing medical systems, hospitals, physician groups, and individual medical providers in medical negligence cases in Cook County and collar counties across Illinois. Learn more about Shannon and her practice here.
