Appeals court upholds verdict in Ohio medical malpractice case

By Daniel Hawn

Published on May 26, 2006

The recent ruling involves a 2004 case between plaintiff Regina Harris of Cleveland and the now-defunct Mt. Sinai Medical Center of Cleveland.

According to the lawsuit, on Jan. 29, 1987, Harris, then 18, went to the hospital to give birth to her first child. She was made to wait two hours before doctors performed a Caesarian section delivery. Her son, Walter Hollins, was born having cerebral palsy and severe brain damage due to a lack of oxygen caused by the delay.

The medical malpractice case that resulted from the incident was tried in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in May 2004. The jury found in Harris’ favor and awarded her and her son $30 million, which included $15 million in economic damages and $15 million for pain and suffering. The medical malpractice award stands as the largest ever issued in the state of Ohio.

Since the 2004 verdict, the case has been held up in the appeals process.

Harris’ attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, says he does not expect the recent ruling to reduce the award by more than $3 million.

The hospital’s attorneys disagree, saying they anticipate the award will be significantly decreased.

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