Woman wins $5.75 million in lawsuit against hospital

By Daniel Hawn

Published on April 30, 2006

In November 2003 Jamie Norton, then 20, delivered her second child at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville. She gave birth to a baby boy and was released from the hospital within two days. Shortly thereafter, however, she began to experience signs of being in severe distress. Norton's body entered a state of toxic shock and she was taken back to the hospital where she underwent a hysterectomy and treatment for a collapsed lung and blood clots.

According to the lawsuit filed by Norton and her husband, Norton was suffering from Strep A when she was discharged from the hospital following the delivery of her baby.

As a result of the hysterectomy, Norton says she suffers from menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, nocturnal sweating, and mood fluctuations.

Her lawsuit named Nathan Littauer Hospital and Doctors Patricia Ngyuen and Deborah Kaufman as defendants.

Following the trial, the hospital issued a statement voicing support for the two doctors and indicating that they may appeal the verdict. The statement said the jury's decision appears to have been influenced by sympathy for Norton's condition rather than a careful analysis of the doctors' actions.

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