Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter Settles Birth Injury Case with Florida Department of Health in Brevard County for $3.2 Million

    ORLANDO, FL, August 30, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The law firm of Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter announced Monday that partner attorney Ron Gilbert and associate Jon Gilbert have reached a $3.2 million settlement with the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County on behalf of mother Vonshelle Brothers and her daughter Iyonna. Iyonna sustained catastrophic brain damage when she contracted the herpes simplex virus (HSV) during birth.

Though a prenatal exam performed during Vonshelle Brothers' first trimester discovered "cellular changes consistent with herpes simplex virus," the expectant mother was not informed by the health department that she had HSV and received no care for the virus during her pregnancy or while giving birth.

"It is vital for physicians treating pregnant women to review all exam results and establish a continuum of care for the mother and her baby," said Jon Gilbert. "Doing so improves the likelihood that a doctor or nurse will discover a potentially serious health issue that could be mitigated or treated before it becomes harmful."

Two weeks after coming home from the hospital, baby Iyonna showed signs of weakness, lethargy, fever and appetite loss. Tests performed in the emergency department found that Iyonna was suffering from meningoencephalitis - severe swelling of the brain and tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord - due to HSV exposure that had occurred at birth.

Despite receiving antiviral treatment, the infection had already caused massive damage to Iyonna's developing brain. Now nearly 6 years old, she struggles daily with complications including developmental delay, speech deficits, ambulation difficulties and vision problems.

Proceeds from the settlement with the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County will be used to fund the costs of Iyonna's ongoing medical and therapy needs.

About Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter

Based in Orlando, Florida, attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter try cases throughout the state and in many state, district and federal courts across the country. The firm has achieved multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in a number of personal injury, medical malpractice and defective product claims.

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