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DISCLAIMER: Please note that every case is different and these verdicts and settlements, while accurate, do not represent what we may obtain for you in your case.

Settlement for Child Born with Sickle Cell Disease

We represented a boy who was born with sickle cell disease, and also his parent, in a medial malpractice claim. The parents were aware that one of them carried the gene for sickle cell disease and they made the decision that the other parent would be tested and if that test was positive for the gene for sickle cell disease, they would adopt rather than have a child. They did not want to run the risk of having their child born with sickle cell disease. The defendant physician ran the wrong test which provided a false negative result. The parents then went ahead with their plans to have a child and their son was born with sickle cell disease. Under applicable Virginia law, the claim was restricted to the extraordinary medical expenses to care for the complications of sickle cell disease during this young man’s life, as well as his parent’s emotional distress over his condition. The case was mediated unsuccessfully on two occasions, but was subsequently settled through negotiations.

Awarded: $425,000