Reports detail that a New York doctor was recently ordered to pay $3 million in damages to a teen that suffered injuries during child birth nearly 18 years ago. According to news reports on the medical malpractice case, a state Supreme Court jury ordered an obstetrician-gynecologist to pay medical malpractice damages to the teen for a brain injury that occurred during childbirth that is allegedly to blame for a number of developmental problems.

Currently, the 18-year-old teen suffers from cerebral palsy and other health issues. During the medical malpractice trial, the jury found that the doctor was responsible for "a lack of adequate care while attending over her birth and that was a "substantial factor" in the girl's current health issues."

"Testimony showed that there was a three to four hour delay in surgery time when the brain injury occurred during the childbirth. In court papers, the doctor said that there was no sign of distress of the child during labor. The teen reportedly suffered "fetal asphyxia" in the womb as a result of umbilical cord compression." Reports detailed that fetal asphyxia can led to a number of neurological problems, including cerebral palsy and can potentially be fatal in some cases.

Source: Avvo "New York Woman Awarded $3 Million in Medical Malpractice Suit" 2/3/2011