Premature Birth Lawsuit Leads to Baltimore County Jury Awarding $2 Million to Family

Recently, a jury in the Baltimore County Circuit Court awarded a family $2 million based on their OB-GYN’s failure to identify that their daughter would be born premature and that as a result she would have cerebral palsy.  The award includes $1.5 million for future medical expenses and $350,000 in noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering. 
 

The Abid family from Woodlawn in Baltimore County filed suit against Dr. Meera A. Rawtani from St. Joseph Medical Center.  In 2006, Mrs. Abid’s water broke ahead of schedule at 33 weeks pregnant.  However, her doctors believed she was “more than 36 weeks pregnant.”  Medical records presented at trial show that Mrs. Abid’s ultrasound from 12 days prior to her water breaking showed a premature baby.  The lawsuit alleged that Dr. Rawtani failed to let the Abids know there “might have been a ‘miscalculation’ on the gestation,” and that the hospital staff failed to administer steroids to baby Maria while in utero to increase her lung capacity.  When Maria was born, her lungs were underdeveloped and she was experiencing breathing problems.  The neonatologist informed the NICU staff that Maria was “mistakenly delivered prematurely” at 33 weeks. 
 
The telling piece of evidence presented at trial was the changing of medical records “after the fact” to show Maria was not fully developed when born.  Maria is now 9 years old and with this verdict, her parents can now afford to take better care of her and have been compensated for all the pain they have endured over the years because of the doctor’s mistake.

This type of award by the jury bodes well for future plaintiffs in Baltimore County bringing a medical malpractice suit against a doctor for a birth injury.  Compared to other counties in Maryland, Baltimore is usually on the lower end of monetary damage awards.  Personal injury attorneys in the Baltimore County area are certainly welcoming this deviation in normal jury patterns.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of a birth injury or an injury as the result of someone elses negligence in Maryland, please call us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation in our Owings Mills office or one of our other offices located throughout Maryland, or visit us online to learn more about medical malpractice at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Medical-Malpractice/Cerebral-Palsy.shtml

Litigation News April 2015

Just recently, Portner & Shure won a $13,000 verdict for our client who was involved in a car accident in Baltimore County caused by the Defendant losing control of his vehicle.  There were conflicting reports given by witnesses, but it was proven that Defendant’s insurance company’s witness did not arrive to the accident scene until after the crash occurred.  This is yet another great outcome for one of our accident victim clients.

Millions of Keurig Machines Recalled for Risk of Burn-Related Injuries

The popularity of Keurig machines has exploded in recent years.  With the holidays just having passed, it is likely several people received a Keurig coffee machine as a present.  Last week, Keurig recalled more than 7 million of its coffee brewing machines after several reports of users getting burned from hot liquids spraying out.  The Keurig Mini Plus machines made between 2009 and 2014 are the only models affected.  There have been 90 reports of burn-related injuries.  Keurig will send a free repair kit to affected machines that will fix the problem.  It is recommended that until the repair is made, stand at least “an arm’s length away from the brewers and [do] not brew more than two cups in quick succession.”  Keurig Mini Plus owners should check for a model number K10 and an identification number starting with “31” on the bottom of their machines.

    There are a variety of safety defects that can affect consumer products and lead to severe injuries for users.  We have the experience and technical resources to analyze your case, answer your questions, and pursue the compensation you deserve.  If you or a family member has been injured from these machines, contact Portner & Shure for a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on personal injury accidents at (410) 995-1515 or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury

What Should You Do After A Motorcycle Accident in Baltimore, Maryland?

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or call to speak with one of our experienced Maryland motorcycle accident attorneys at (301) 854-9000 for a free consultation.

Baltimore, Maryland is the largest city in Maryland, and the 26^th largest city in the United States with a population over 600,000.  With traffic being a major issue in the city, one must be wary of traffic accidents.  Motorcycle accidents are one of the most dangerous types of accidents because motorcyclists lack the same protection as cars and trucks.  Motorcycles do not have airbags, windshields or seatbelts to protect them in an accident.  After a motorcycle accident has occurred, it is important for you, as the rider, to follow these tips to protect your personal safety and to ensure your best chance at getting the compensation you deserve.

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  Escape Immediate Danger and Seek Medical Attention

  
  
  
  
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    Nearly 62% of motorcycle accidents involve fuel leaks.  You must distance yourself from the motorcycle if there is a leak.  Further, make sure no one lights an open flame, including flares, near the scene of the accident if there is gasoline leaking.  If you are injured, you should be taken to a hospital for immediate care.  Common injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident include scrapes and bruises, broken arms and/or legs, and concussions.  It is important that a doctor examines your injuries to determine the severity.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Stay Calm and Remain Silent

  
  
  
  
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    After any traumatic event, such as an accident, your body's adrenaline may cause you to act irrationally.  Remain calm by taking deep breaths and sitting down.  Do not talk to anyone because adrenaline sometimes causes people to speak without thinking, and it is important to avoid admitting fault.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Do Not Leave the Scene of the Accident

  
  
  
  
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    Make sure you exchange information with all involved parties and wait for the police to arrive.  By leaving after the accident, you open yourself up to a hit and run felony charge.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Keep Records of All Documents Related to the Accident

  
  
  
  
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    It is very important to keep a record of all expenses you incurred as a result of the accident.  Some common expenses include doctor's visits, repairs and lost wages from time missed at work.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Call the Police

  
  
  
  
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    A police report is important because it will document the facts of the crash, the parties involved and record of any witnesses.  If police do not arrive at the scene, it is best to file a report later at the police station.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Seek Professional Legal Counsel

  
  

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  • Call an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to help you recover any benefits to which you may be entitled.  It is important to call a lawyer as soon as possible to assure that all evidence and witnesses do not disappear.   
  
  
  
  

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in an automobile accident, truck, bus, or motorcycle accident, and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on car accidents please feel free to contact our office at (301) 854-9000 or visit us on the web at www.portnerandshure.com