State, doctor being sued over baby’s fractured shoulder

The mother of a baby whose shoulder was fractured during birth at the Suddie Hospital, Essequibo Coast in October last year is suing the state and the doctor who supervised her delivery.

In a writ filed in the High Court, Parbattie Ramdat is suing the Attorney General and Dr Mirtha Johnson. Ramdat’s baby, Arveer Ashok Amarnauth suffered a broken shoulder on October 26 upon birth. The writ says the Attorney General is being sued in his capacity as the legal representative of the state. The writ alleges that Johnson was the doctor supervising the delivery.

Ramdat is seeking damages in excess of $10m for alleged negligence by the servants/agents of the State on the day of delivery as a result of which Amarnauth “suffered multiple, physical and other injuries before, during and after delivery”.

Arveer Ashok Amarnauth
Arveer Ashok Amarnauth

Ramdat is also seeking damages in excess of $10m for personal injuries, pain and suffering to her and the infant. She is also arguing for exemplary damages.

Ramdat had told Stabroek News that the day after the birth, “the doctor told me that my baby had a fractured shoulder  and that he was not in a position to go home. His right hand was already in a cast and on Tuesday, I was told that they will have to loose out the cast and do it back because it wasn’t done well.

“When I went to see my child, I observed that his left hand was falling back and like it wasn’t in position so I asked the doctors and they said that a nerve in his hand was damaged and that Arveer would have to do physiotherapy but he would be OK.”

On November 2, Ramdat and Arveer were released from the Suddie Public Hospital.

The writ was issued by attorney Anil Nandlall.

The baby with both hands in casts shortly after birth