NGMC undecided about appeal of $8.4M judgment against it

GAINESVILLE - The Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has not decided whether to appeal an $8.4 million judgement against it in a suit filed in the case of a 5-year-old boy who was injured at birth and later developed cerebral palsy.<br /> <br /> A Hall County State Court jury ruled in favor of Jakob Medley and his grandmother and legal guardian, Rachel Lewis. At the same time, the jury absolved Longstreet Clinic, which was also a defendant in the case, of any fault. <br /> <br /> "We are surprised by the jury's verdict in this case," the hospital said in a statement reacting to the outcome of the trial. "It is our position that we met the standard of care based on the clinical evidence, and the outcome was not a result of our staff's actions. We wish the best for Jakob's future and his family. <br /> <br /> Regarding an appeal, we have not yet made that determination."<br /> <br /> The Longstreet Clinic issued the following statement: "Although we cannot provide any details of this case, we are pleased that we were completely exonerated and that the care we provided was appropriate.<br /> <br /> "We feel badly that our hospital partner in this case did not receive the same consideration."<br /> <br /> The 25-page suit alleged that "today, as a consequence of the delay in his delivery, Jakob suffers from severe and permanent brain injuries, cerebral palsy, development delays, disfigurement and other serious and permanent injuries."<br /> <br /> It further alleges "failure to take appropriate measures to avoid injury to (the) unborn fetus (and) failure to deliver the baby...in an appropriate and timely manner."

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/10/281049