After a three-week trial in Macon County, jurors found that an obstetrician and his clinic were liable for the death of an infant who suffered catastrophic injuries during delivery. The case stemmed from the May 2018 birth of Oliver Bayless, whose parents said medical providers failed to act on clear warning signs before and during labor.
According to trial testimony, Hannah Bayless was diagnosed with gestational hypertension two months before her due date. Despite repeated hospital visits and signs of oxygen deprivation during labor, her doctor did not expedite delivery. Oliver was born in distress, required 15 minutes of resuscitation, and later developed severe brain damage. His condition led to months of medical interventions before his passing in February 2019.
The jury awarded $7.1 million for Oliver’s pain, suffering, and medical costs, and $10 million for the grief and emotional distress of his parents, Colton and Hannah Bayless. Coplan + Crane attorneys David Axelrod and Ted Jennings represented the family, emphasizing that the verdict sends a message about accountability in obstetric care.
Read the full story from Law360 here: https://www.law360.com/trials/articles/2373051/ill-jury-awards-17m-over-infant-s-fatal-delivery-injuries
