Birth Injury - Luckett v. University of Mississippi Medical Center

In the case of Luckett v. University of Mississippi Medical Center that was tried to a verdict, our client, Patricia Luckett, was admitted in labor. Prenatal testing conducted through the Madison County Health Department indicated that Ms. Luckett suffered from gestational diabetes, a condition which can allow the baby to grow excessively large. On admission, UMMC failed to note this condition, failed to perform assessments of estimated fetal weight, and allowed a first-year resident attempt vaginal delivery on what turned out to be a 12 lb., 14 oz. baby. Predictably severe shoulder dystocia was encountered, and the child suffered a severe brachial plexus injury to his shoulder. The case was tried before Circuit Judge Winston Kidd, who awarded the injured child damages and prejudgment interest in an amount which was approximately equal to the statutory cap, $500,000.