Columbia Jury Awards $1.4 Million in Medical Malpractice Case Involving Premature Infant

Columbia, SC Jury Awards $1.4 Million in Medical Malpractice Case

In a courtroom trial that lasted a week, a jury in Columbia, South Carolina, has handed down a significant verdict. They awarded $1.4 million in actual damages in a medical malpractice case involving Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands. The case arose from complications following a baby girl’s premature birth, putting the spotlight on the delicate balance of care given to vulnerable infants.

Just 35 Minutes for a Tough Decision

What stands out about this trial, aside from the large award, is that the jury took just 35 minutes to reach their decision after deliberating. This quick conclusion indicates how clear-cut they found the evidence. At the heart of the case was whether the hospital’s nurses provided adequate care during a critical period when the little girl was relying on a specialized facial covering that supplied a constant flow of oxygen while keeping her airways open.

The trial revealed that these devices, which are essential for premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed, require constant monitoring. The evidence brought forward in court showed that neglecting to monitor them can lead to permanent injury due to the pressure they exert on a baby’s fragile skin. Brendan Green, one of the co-plaintiffs’ attorneys, explained, “The bottom line is this baby needed to be on a device to keep her lungs pressurized because her lungs weren’t developed enough… but you have to be careful when you do that because anything that touches a baby’s skin can cause damage.”

The Family’s Journey

The suit was initiated by the baby’s father, Earl Sale, an avionics engineer with the South Carolina National Guard, and her mother, Mary Sale, who works as an electrical engineer with Dominion Energy. Both parents took the stand during the trial to share their experiences. Their testimony was supplemented by an expert nurse-educator, who specializes in teaching hospital staff about the proper monitoring of oxygen devices for newborns, giving the jury additional insight into the expectations of care.

Prior to the trial, Prisma Health had offered a mere $25,000 to settle the case, a sum the Sales felt did not take into account the severity of their child’s situation. The baby unfortunately underwent reconstructive surgery and may face further procedures in the future, highlighting the long-term impact of the alleged negligence. Attorney Grace Babcock mentioned, “This was a permanent injury and she did need surgery.”

Hospital’s Defense

On the other side of the courtroom, Prisma Health argued that they met the standard care expectations for hospitals and claimed there was no breach of duty towards their patient. After the verdict, Prisma’s representatives did not respond to inquiries for comments regarding the case. There was a noticeable absence as well from their principal trial attorneys, David Holler and Alex Atkinson, who did not share their thoughts following the jury’s decision.

A Hope for Change

Although this was a difficult experience for the Sale family, their motivation to pursue legal action stemmed partly from a desire to prevent similar incidents from happening to other children in the future. Brendan Green articulated this sentiment when he stated that the Sales initiated the lawsuit to ensure “this would not happen to the next person’s child.”

The trial concluded under the watchful eye of Judge Jocelyn Newman, marking a moment of justice for the family, while also raising important questions regarding the standards of care provided to our most vulnerable population – our newborns.