Albert Einstein Medical Center faces wrongful death claim by parents of deceased newborn baby girl

The parents of a baby girl who died one day after she was delivered via cesarean section

have filed a wrongful death claim against the hospital where the death occurred and the doctors involved in the care of the newborn child.

Philadelphia attorney Michael A. Cancelliere, Jr., of the firm Howard, Brenner & Nass, filed the civil action July 18 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Philadelphia residents Shade Christian and Malieke Anthony.

The two are suing on behalf of their deceased daughter, Madison Anthony.

The defendants named in the lawsuit are Albert Einstein Medical Center and doctors Rachel Porat and Neil Tran.

According to the complaint, Christian presented to Albert Einstein Medical Center on Dec. 8, 2010, for treatment of pregnancy complications.

At the time, the woman was a little more than 37 weeks pregnant.

Physicians determined that Christian had developed a rupture of her membranes, causing Madison Anthony to be in breach position, the lawsuit states.

The baby was delivered that day via cesarean section.

Following her birth, the suit states, Madison Anthony began to exhibit signs of respiratory distress, which was initially treated by doctors with an umbilical venous catheter.

The plaintiffs, however, contend that the catheter was misplaced, something that allegedly caused the baby girl’s condition to worsen.

An X-ray taken the following day indicated that the situation remained unchanged, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 9, 2010, Madison Anthony was described as pale with poor perfusion, according to the complaint.

The young child was then intubated with the catheter remaining in place.

The plaintiffs believe that it wasn’t until later on Dec. 9 that doctors finally moved and/or repositioned the umbilical venous catheter, the suit states.

Doctors performed CPR on Madison when her condition again began to worsen, according to the lawsuit.

During their treatment, the suit claims, the defendants gave Madison an incorrect dosage of calcium.

The baby’s condition continued to worsen and she died on Dec. 9.

The cause of death, the lawsuit states, was cardiogenic shock secondary to a pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade caused by a malpositioned umbilical venous catheter in the right atrium.

The lawsuit claims that the combined negligence of the various defendants ultimately led to Madison Anthony’s death.

The complaint accuses the defendants of failing to have properly trained and experienced nurses and physicians on staff to diagnose and treat Madison Anthony; failing to provide Madison Anthony with proper and adequate medical care; failing to consult with the proper medical personnel to determine the appropriate treatment and care of Madison Anthony’s respiratory distress and catheterization; and various other acts of negligence.

In addition to the negligence counts, the lawsuit also contains counts of corporate liability, negligent infliction of emotional distress, wrongful death and survival action.

The plaintiffs demand judgment in excess of $50,000.

They are also seeking a trial by jury.

 

The case ID number is 120702474.