Parents of child who allegedly received brain injury during emergency C-section sue

GRETNA – The parents of a St. Tammany child are suing a Jefferson Parish hospital and doctor for injuries she claims her daughter received during an emergency C-section delivery.

Victor Dixon and Kyeesha Price, individually and as natural parents and tutors of their minor daughter, filed suit against Ochsner Clinic Foundation and Washington Bryan M.D. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Feb. 19.

Price claims she was having difficulties during her pregnancy with her daughter prior to becoming ill and appearing at Ochsner Medical Center West Bank facility vomiting, complaining of lower abdominal pain and leaking blood and fluid. The plaintiff alleges that when she first arrived at the hospital the fetal heart rate was normal, but signs of fetal distress were noticed later.

The plaintiffs’ claim their daughter was eventually delivered via C section 48 minutes after Bryan was first called about the emergency. Dixon and Price allege inaction by the defendants resulted in severe injuries to their newborn daughter including brain injury to oxygen deprivation.

The defendant is accused of failing to recognize fetal instability, failing to contact the plaintiff’s physician in a timely manner, failing to secure and have adequate policies and procedures to ensure Caesarean sections be initiated as soon as possible, failing to arrange and have adequate policies and procedures to arrange for surgical attendance, failing to take an adequate history of the patient, failing to recognize signs and symptoms out of proportion to early labor, failing to recognize fetal health concerns, failing to notify the physician in a timely manner of fetal health concerns, negligently failing to properly interpret fetal monitoring strips, failing to obtain an early ultrasound and failing to provide adequate policies and procedures for nurse training.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for medical expenses, mental and physical suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, disability and loss of enjoyment of life.

The plaintiffs are represented by David A. Bowling of New Orleans-based Bowling & McKinney APLC.

The case has been assigned to Division H Judge Glenn B. Ansardi.

Case no. 723-992.