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Jury Sides With Doctor in Case of Newborn Who Suffered Meconium Aspiration at Birth

Isabella Calcagno was born on June 17, 2002.  She was born with meconium aspiration at the University of Illinois Medical Center (UIC) in Chicago.  She was in the hospital for three weeks while she was treated for  meconium aspiration syndrome.

The defendant, Dr. Amrit Thandi, was a second-year resident at UIC’s family practice clinic. Dr. Thandi had followed the mother of Isabella during her prenatal course and was present during the child’s delivery. 

Isabella’s parents alleged that Dr. Thandi was negligent in allowing the pregnancy to progress to 46 weeks gestation before delivering the baby.  The defendant doctor argued that Isabella was born at 42 weeks gestation, that all prenatal visits with Dr. Thandi were reviewed by an attending physician who agreed with Thandi’s plan of care, the mother’s cervix was never ripe for induction of labor, the maternal/fetal medicine specialist saw Isabella’s mother on June 13, 2002 and did not recommend induction of labor.  In addition, it was the defendant’s position that none of the attending physicians recommended induction of labor at any point during the prenatal course. 

Although Dr. Thandi assisted during the baby’s delivery, he argued that the aspiration occurred despite aggressive suctioning.  And last, Dr. Thandi asserted that Isabella had no further respiratory issues after she was discharged from the hospital in July 2002. 

The jury’s verdict for Dr. Thandi was entered.

The demand to settle the case before trial was $180,000.  There was no offer to settle.

Isabella Calcagno, a minor v. Dr. Amrit Thandi, No. 10 L 6040 (Cook County). 

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling medical negligence cases, birth injury cases and elderly abuse cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 37 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Chicago (Bridgeview), Orland Park, Melrose Park, Elmwood Park, Park Forest, Rolling Meadows, Chicago (Lawndale), Blue Island, Alsip and Summit, Ill.

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