Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Laura Minthorne received prenatal care from providers at Women’s Healthcare Associates (WHA), LLC. During Minthorne’s subsequent labor at a hospital, a WHA physician directed a nurse to administer Pitocin. Minthorne experienced excruciating pelvic pain, and her labor failed to progress. It also was revealed that the baby was malpositioned in her pelvis in the occiput posterior position.

A day after she was admitted, Minthorne delivered her baby by cesarean section. Afterward, she was unable to feel the urge to urinate and had significant post-void residual urine, as well as extreme pain. Despite this, she was discharged from the hospital and released from WHA’s postpartum care approximately two months later. She was subsequently diagnosed with a neurogenic bladder injury. She must now self-catheterize or void on a timer. Her condition has resulted in PTSD.

Minthorne sued WHA, alleging negligent postpartum care. Suit claimed the defendant and its agents failed to assess the plaintiff’s pelvic pain or bladder injury and charted that her recovery and bladder were normal despite her continuing problems.

The jury awarded $1.73 million.

Citation: Minthorne v. Legacy Health, No. 21CV49286 (Or. Cir. Ct. Multnomah Cnty. Nov. 15, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Hermine Hayes-Klein, Portland, Ore.; and AAJ member Drake Hood, Hillsboro, Ore.