Personal Injury Law

Chicago Medical Malpractice: Obstetrician Accused of Yelling at Woman in Labor is Put on Probation

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has placed obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Scott Pierce on probation for one year and fined him $500. Pierce is accused of mistreating a pregnant woman while she was in labor with her fifth child.

The patient, Catherine Skol, sued Pierce for Chicago medical malpractice in Cook County last December. Skol delivered her baby at Rush University Medical Center in March 2008.

According to her Chicago medical malpractice complaint, Pierce, who was filling in for Skol?s doctor, arrived at the hospital four hours after she got there, scolded her for not calling first, and wouldn't give her any pain medicine. He is accused of telling a nurse that the patient deserved to feel pain for failing to let them know that she was coming to the hospital.

Skol also contends that Pierce performed a painful vaginal exam while she was experiencing a contraction and told her to push even though she wasn?t fully dilated. She says he told her to shut up, keep her mouth shut, and push. She says she and her husband became afraid to complain after Pierce allegedly told her she could hemorrhage and the baby could die.

Skol says that while she was in labor, Pierce made hostile cell phone calls to other people and then used a very large needle to give her unnecessary stitches after the birth.

Following an investigation into the incident, Rush University Medical Center suspended Pierce?s privileges there. Pierce has is own private in Melrose Park.

If you or your child suffered injuries during delivery, you may have grounds for filing a Chicago medical malpractice lawsuit. Your obstetrician-gynecologist is supposed to provide you with a certain standard of care. Failure to provide that level of care can be grounds for a Chicago medical malpractice lawsuit if you or your child suffered physical or emotional harm as a result.

Doctor disciplined for allegedly chastising Chicago-area woman in labor and denying her pain medication, Chicago Tribune, July 22, 2009

Woman: Doctor Told Me to "Shut Up and Push," NBC Chicago, January 6, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Medical Malpractice and Childbirth, Wrong Diagnosis

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on July 22, 2009 (boomark / email).