A York County jury has awarded $4.4 million to the parents of a 4-year-old girl who died after suffering brain injury at birth at Piedmont Medical Center.
The Rock Hill hospital in a statement Monday offered sympathies to the family and said it is considering its legal options, including an appeal. Piedmont said its staff acted appropriately.
The civil court jury found that the hospital was at fault in 2003 when it assigned a nurse trainee to monitor expectant mother Robin Wilson, who had arrived at the hospital three days before her scheduled induction, complaining of nausea and vomiting.
Lawyers for Wilson argued the nurse trainee misread fetal heart monitoring information showing the baby was in dire distress. The information showed the baby needed emergency intervention, according to a lawsuit Robin Wilson and her husband, Brice Wilson, of Fort Lawn filed against the hospital in York County court.
The girl, Sierra Wilson, was born Nov. 18, 2003, with a severe brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation. She died of complications from cerebral palsy more than four years later, on Feb. 13, 2008.
"I've never been in this for the money," Brice Wilson said Monday. "I've always wanted justice and vindication for my daughter. What she went through, she didn't deserve."
Wilson, 43, said he was shocked by the size of the award, which was handed down exactly a year to the day after the death of his only daughter.
Wilson said he was laid off earlier this year from his construction job. His wife is head bartender at Uncle Charles' Oasis on S.C. 9 in Richburg. Robin Wilson has two children, ages 16 and 11.
Sierra's death brought a sudden end to a life filled with challenges, Wilson said. The girl took medication to battle seizures, underwent therapy several times a week and relied on a feeding tube to keep her nourished.
"I'm happy now, in a way," her father said. "My child got her due in court. I still don't have her."
Piedmont defended its handling of the mother's care. The hospital said Monday that it would have no further comment beyond its prepared statement.
"Despite the verdict in this case, we feel that our staff acted appropriately. It is unfortunate that despite the high quality care provided, the outcome was not what anyone desired."
The family was represented by Ken Suggs, a Columbia attorney who specializes in medical malpractice cases.
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