Oregon Doctor Cleared in Diaper Rash Lawsuit

By Brittany Golledge

Published on October 18, 2005

The parents, Shaun and Teri Ferguson, filed the suit in Lane County Circuit Court, and were seeking $3.3 million in damages. According to the lawsuit, Dr. William F. Nelson treated their child multiple times over a period of 15 months, twice prescribing a steroid cream, Lotrisone, for the baby's diaper rash. The Ferguson's received a third prescription for the cream while the doctor was on vacation. Because the third prescription allowed for multiple refills, the couple ended up using four tubes of the steroid cream on their child within a two-month period.

In the lawsuit, the couple alleges that the incorrect prescription of steroid cream stunted their child's growth. Experts testified that the initial dose prescribed by Dr. Nelson was sensible, but the third dose was excessive by normal medical standards.

Responding to the allegations, attorneys for Nelson argued that it was a genetic zinc deficiency that caused the child's lack of development. Attorneys also pointed out that Nelson was away when another doctor issued the third prescription without his authorization.

The jury sided with Nelson, agreeing that he bore no responsibility for the third prescription.

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