Summary
In 2023, the KL High Court awarded over RM8 million to a woman and her four-year-old daughter who suffered severe brain damage due to medical negligence during childbirth at a government hospital.
In March 2019, the mother, with a high-risk obstetric history, was scheduled for an emergency caesarean section. However, on the evening of March 17, 2019, signs of fetal distress, including bradycardia (when a baby’s heart rate slows down) were detected, but a delayed decision was made to perform the caesarean at 9:20 pm. As a result, the child suffered hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, leading to spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and developmental delays.
The child now requires constant care, unable to perform basic functions like feeding, bathing, and communication. The court found that the delay in medical intervention was a key factor in the child’s condition.
Compensation Received:
RM8 million+ :-
- Special Damages: RM209,172 to cover actual expenses incurred.
- General Damages:
-RM500,000 to the child for pain and suffering
-RM114,000 to the mother for future psychiatric treatments. - Aggravated Damages: RM350,000 for emotional distress
- Future General Damages: RM6,954,156 to cover the child’s care over 40 years, averaging RM173,853.90 annually.