Jury Finds for Family in "Wrongful Birth" Case

The family of an unborn child whose life-threatening genetic defect went undiagnosed was awarded $28 million in damages. Health care professionals reported that tests showed no signs of defects in the fetus, but upon birth all signs of a life-threatening genetic defect were present. The jury found the child’s high-risk-birth specialist to be 50 percent negligent, while the remaining liability was placed on a medical testing lab and its director.

Researchers Find Disparities in Patients’ Care

A recent study showed that hospitals treating more African-American stroke patients provided inadequate treatment as opposed to hospitals that treated more Caucasian stroke patients. A study reviewed data on 656 hospitals and found African-Americans were less likely to receive proper medication and referrals for smoking cessation efforts. Researchers attributed the variation in care to the hospitals where patients were treated rather than to the race itself.

Report Confirms Increasing Autism Rates

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that one child in 150 develops a type of autism spectrum disorder by the age of 8. Average delays in diagnosis were reported at a year and a half from the time parents noted any symptoms. Researchers analyzed cases of the disorders in 14 states.

Hospital Accused of "Dumping" Paraplegic on Street

Witnesses reported seeing a Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center van "dump" a homeless paraplegic on a skid row. Police are investigating an earlier dumping case linked to the same hospital. California authorities have brought "homeless dumping" charges against dozens of CA hospitals and outside law enforcement agencies.

State Detention Center Agrees to Settle Child Abuse Claims

Multiple abuse lawsuits against an Alabama youth detention center will be settled by a $12.5 million payment by the state. Forty-eight girls alleged they were sexually and physically abused at the center during detainment. Fifteen employees were fired or resigned from the center after allegations surfaced.

Exonerated Man Settles Lawsuit Against Kentucky City of Police Officers

A former prisoner agreed to a $3.9 million settlement after being the first Kntucky resident exonerated through DNA evidence. His lawsuit alleged he was wrongly arrested on rape charges that caused him to endure seven years of degradation while imprisoned. The court sided with the plaintiff, who demonstrated that police used discredited identification procedures to arrest him.

Appeals Court Stands By Verdict Against Drilling Company

A Colorado sheep rancher will keep a $4 million jury award after an appeals court rejected arguments from the defendant, a natural-gas drilling company. The rancher sued Williams Production Co. for failing to pay the royalties he was due over several years. The company ineffectively argued that evidence was improperly excluded and that the jury instructions and damage calculations were inaccurate.