Mass. Woman Paralyzed After Childbirth Awarded $35.4M in Lawsuit

May 12, 2015

Officials say a Massachusetts woman who became paralyzed following childbirth has been awarded $35.4 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

The Boston Globe reports that Andrea Larkin sought treatment for dizziness from Dedham Medical Associates after running the 2004 Boston Marathon. Her attorney, Benjamin Novotny, says her tests revealed brain abnormalities.

Novotny says Dr. Jehane Johnston failed to place the 35-year-old on a database of patients with certain medical conditions.

After becoming pregnant four years later, Larkin’s obstetrician was unaware of her brain issues because she didn’t appear in the database. Larkin suffered a stroke as a result of giving birth, paralyzing her.

Her lawyer says she requires “24-hour care.”

Dr. Michael Querner, Dedham’s chief medical officer, says they disagree with the judgment and intend to pursue “legal measures.”

Topics Lawsuits Massachusetts

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Latest Comments

  • May 14, 2015 at 3:47 pm
    Nebraskan says:
    I agree with you. The only thing I can think of is that maybe she was already seeing her OB/GYN and never did any sort of updating of her information. Which, if never asked ... read more
  • May 14, 2015 at 2:33 pm
    BS says:
    While the original physician should have put her name in the database, unless that physician didn't tell her about the abnormalities, I have a really hard time agreeing with t... read more
  • May 14, 2015 at 9:08 am
    Bill says:
    I agree with you. But, the article doesn't say anything about the woman being notified there would be any risk in her getting pregnant. If she was notified by the first doct... read more

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