Long Island Family Wins $130 Million Lawsuit

John Mitty Thursday, April 18, 2013

A family in Long Island who sued St. Charles Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Port Jefferson have just won $130 in their lawsuit.  According to the parents of Shannon Reilly, mistakes made while the mother was giving birth to her resulted in Shannon’s cerebral palsy.  A jury examining the evidence presented determined that the doctors at St. Charles “departed from accepted obstetrical practice” in several key ways.  Because of their mistakes, Shannon did not have enough oxygen before she was born, which resulted in her present malady.  Thomas Moore, the family’s attorney, described her situation as that of a “prisoner in her own body.  She cannot walk or speak.  But she hears and understands and is exquisitely aware of everything that is going on around her.”

Because the doctors at St. Charles messed up during the delivery, Shannon is unable to speak, walk, write or swallow without the assistance of medical technology, doctors or her parents.  The $130 million award to Shannon’s family is among the highest malpractice awards which has ever been granted in the state of New York.  Despite the judgment, the attorney for the hospital is still seeking to overturn the motion, and says that he will be trying for a new trial date. Shannon’s family fought a decade long legal battle in order to win their case. 

jmitty@longislandyellowpages.com

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