Jury Awards $55 Million in Birth Injury Medical Malpractice Case

A Lehigh County jury awarded $55 million to the family of Matthew Crowell concerning a birth injury malpractice lawsuit they filed against St. Luke’s University Hospital.
As a result of medical errors committed during the birthing process, Matthew was born with cerebral palsy. According to the lawsuit, the baby did not receive proper oxygen during the birthing process and showed signs of fetal distress which the medical staff failed to recognize. In addition, the child became stuck in the birth canal and the mother began hemorrhaging. The family contended that emergency caesarean section should have been performed in order to resolve the dangerous situation. The Crowell’s claimed that the delay in emergency action resulted in the permanent injuries to their son. At four years old, Matthew continues to suffer from his disability, experiencing difficulties in language development and physical movement.