$11 Million Birth Injury Jury Verdict

On Wednesday, August 28, 2002, a Jefferson County Jury awarded a four-year boy 11 million dollars for injuries he suffered at the time of his birth. Brenden Lay, a minor, through his parents Christopher Lay and Rosemary Hicks-Lay of Bloomington, Illinois alleged that several errors occurred during delivery on March 8, 1998 at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

The circumstances of the labor and delivery were not outlined because the hospital admitted liability before the trial began. Patrick A. Salvi and Michael P. Schostok of the law firm Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., in Chicago represented the family. The 6-day trial focused on how long Brenden would live, and the future care he would require. The Honorable Judge James M. Wexstten presided over the trial for the child’s injuries, which included permanent brain damage and cerebral palsy.

According to the Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter, which keeps track of all Personal Injury Settlements and Jury Verdicts, this is the largest verdict in Jefferson County’s history.

“The parents are pleased that the jurors from the fine community of Mount Vernon and the rest of Jefferson County recognized the severity of Brenden’s condition and the need to take care of their son. Also, both sides received a very fair trial from Judge Wexstten.” said Patrick Salvi.