Jordan Rinker, 3, was born on March 14, 2008 at Mercy. Her mother, Crystal, was administered the drug Pitocin to induce labor. Pitocin stimulates stronger and more regular contractions than would occur in natural labor. One of the potential side effects is a diminished flow of blood to the uterus, thereby increasing the chances of neonatal hypoxia or a lack of oxygen to the newborn.
The local newspaper's report seems to imply this was roughly the effect when nurses gave Mrs. Rinker more Pitocin in the morning: "The lawsuit alleged that nurses didn’t recognize hyperstimulation in the uterus of Mrs. Rinker, or that the baby was displaying intolerance to labor."
Eventually, when they noticed that the baby "had developed a dangerously low heart rate," they rushed the mother to the operating room for a C-section. The child was born near death but the medical team was able to resuscitate her.
The Rinkers hired an attorney, who interviewed several experts and investigated the medical findings. The final verdict was that Jordan Rinker had suffered permanent brain damage. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and developmental delay. She would never be able to care for herself without assistance.
The medical negligence lawsuit was filed last year by Jared and Crystal Rinker in Stark County Common Pleas Court on behalf of their daughter.
Attorney John Lancione, of Cleveland from the law firm of Lancione & Lancione represented the family.
http://www.cantonrep.com/newsnow/x1292319836/Mercy-Medical-Center-to-pay-4-3-million-in-negligence-suit
If you would like more information about how medical malpractice and accident cases work in the state of New York, I encourage you to explore my educational website http://www.oginski-law.com. If you have legal questions, I urge you to pick up the phone and call me at 516-487-8207 or by e-mail at [email protected] to answer your questions. That's what I do every day. I welcome your call.