Recent $34M Verdict Is One of the Largest Medical Malpractice Verdicts in Missouri
In 2014, Katie Chittenden was in labor at CoxHealth Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, joyfully anticipating the birth of her child, Brody Kendrick. During labor, the staff at CoxHealth gave Katie increasing doses of the drug Pitocin, causing her contractions to become so frequent and severe that baby Brody was deprived of oxygen in the womb. Brody’s lack of oxygen led to brain damage, quadriplegia, and a diagnosis of cerebral palsy.
Because of the care Katie received during labor, her child will require life-long care totaling millions of dollars.
Devastated, the family reached out to Johnson, Vorhees & Martucci for help. Our lawyers at JVM took on the case, knowing that a victory for Brody would not only cover some of the costs associated with his elevated needs, but could also ensure that CoxHealth and surrounding hospitals improve their standard of care– so that no other family will have to endure the same heartache that Brody’s family has lived through.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit against CoxHealth would prove to be a hard-fought case. Before the trial, the defense refused to offer any compensation to the family, admitting to no wrongdoing whatsoever. For our lawyers, this meant they’d have to work doubly hard in honor of the truth.
JVM brought in multiple expert witnesses – the country’s leading medical authorities on labor and delivery – to prove that it was malpractice and unsafe hospital policies that led to Brody’s irreversible injuries. After an intense 10-day trial, the Greene Country jury returned a verdict, awarding the family over $34 million in damages– one of the largest medical malpractice rulings in Missouri. While nothing can give Brody back the quality of life he deserved, the verdict will help support the care he needs, and, hopefully, change hospital protocols to prevent this from occurring again.
About Our JVM Team
We at JVM see this as a victory for Brody’s family and for the residents of Springfield, MO. Cases like these affirm our belief that families like Brody’s need someone who is fully invested and fully prepared to fight back on their behalf. At Johnson, Vorhees & Martucci, we are passionate about the law and standing up for those who have been wrongfully injured. Our firm includes eight award-winning attorneys with proven trial advocacy and more than 140 years of combined experience. Justice and truth are the core principles of our firm. We are committed to following through to the fullest extent for our clients.
If you need to talk to an attorney, please call us at (417) 206-0100 or contact us online by submitting a contact form here. As one of the region’s leading personal injury law firms, Johnson, Vorhees & Martucci represents clients in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
