Appeals Court Supports Malpractice Verdict

An Ohio appeals court affirmed a medical malpractice verdict issued two years ago by a jury that held a delivery doctor liable for the brain damage of a 19-year-old man.

In May 2004, a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas jury awarded Walter Hollins and his mother, Regina Harris, $30 million in economic and punitive damages suffered as the result of Dr. Ronald Jordan's negligence.

Jordan was charged with negligence after delaying an emergency Caesarean section for Harris. As a consequence, her unborn son was deprived of oxygen causing him to be born with cerebral palsy. Hollins cannot use his limbs and has the mental capacity of a 1-year-old.

Attorneys for Jordan appealed the original verdict, citing an objection to the amount of the award.

However, the 8 th Ohio District Court of Appeals supported this verdict while also ordering a reduction in the amount of the award.

Geoffrey Fieger, the attorney for Hollins and his mother, said he suspected the award would still be significant - at least $27 million.

Jordan's lawyer disagreed, saying he planned to appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court.

Does your child suffer from cerebral palsy? If so, contact a cerebral palsy lawyer to learn whether your child is entitled to compensation.