$8M for Obstetrician Malpractice, Cerebral Palsy Birth Defect
Obstetrician Holly Roberts was sued for having failed to act after noticing the fetal heart-rate of the child while the mother was in labor in May 1996. Roberts failed to mention the problem to her relief doctor whom also noticed the depressed heart rate but did not act.
Since they did not do a Caesarian section, child Martin Ogidi Jr. now has cerebral palsy due to their negligence. Ogidi is blind, confined to a wheelchair, and cannot speak or hold up his own head.
The settlement between the doctors’ insurance companies and the Ogidi family was for $8M.
- Charles Toutant, New Jersey Law Journal
Many people have requested information regarding interrogatory questions and answers. The following is the New Jersey state judicial guidelines:
Interrogatory Questions and Discovery
The Answer is followed by a request for written interrogatories. These
are questions that must be answered by each party. The Superior Court
has set up certain "Form" Interrogatories which are contained in the
Rules of Court. Generally, written interrogatories are followed by the
taking of depositions, which is recorded testimony given under oath by
any person the opposition wishes to question. The deposition is just as
important as the trial itself. In the event you are deposed during the
course of this action, you will receive detailed instructions as to
procedure and will be requested to watch a videotape. After taking
depositions, the case will be set down for an Arbitration. If the
parties do not settle after the Arbitration, the case will be given a
trial call date.
Altogether, these procedures may take from six months to several years,
and your patience may be sorely tried during this time. However, it has
been our experience that clients who are forewarned have a much higher
tolerance level for the slowly turning wheels of justice.
An injured person and their attorney must answer Court Rule
Interrogatory Questions Form A, plus supplemental questions propounded
by the attorney for the defendant. The Court Rules require plaintiffs
provide answers. If answers are not provided your case will be
dismissed.
