Parents sue doctor over child's brain injury suffered at birth

The parents of a minor who suffered a brain injury during the birth process blame a doctor at Memorial Hospital for causing their daughter's cerebral palsy.

Jennifer and Lance Schneider filed a lawsuit Dec. 28 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Protestant Memorial Medical Center doing business as Memorial Hospital and Dr. Michael E. Herrmann.

The Schneiders claim their daughter, Sophia Schneider, was born with hypoxic brain injury, meaning she did not receive enough oxygen to her brain during the birthing process. As a result, Sophia Schneider developed cerebral palsy, causing her to lose her enjoyment of a normal life and to sustain disfigurement, disability, pain and suffering, according to the complaint.

In addition, because of her injury, Sophia Schneider has developed an inability to become adequately educated, has suffered an impaired earning capacity and has and will continue to incur medical costs, the suit states.

The Schneiders blame Herrmann of Memorial Hospital for causing their daughter's injuries, saying he negligently ruptured membranes when her head was engaged before her birth and failed to utilize inutero resuscitation maneuvers and prepare for an immediate C-section in a scenario of prolonged deceleration.

In their three-count complaint, the Schneiders seek a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs.

Joseph A. Bartholomew of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer and Shevlin in Belleville will be representing them.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-667.