Jenna Doucette, et al vs.  Dr. Abdulla Al-Khan, et al

Case Background

On July 8, 2022, Plaintiff Jenna Doucette filed a medical malpractice and birth injury lawsuit in the Ocean County Superior Court, New Jersey (Case Number: L00259121). Judge Joseph P. Quinn presided over the case.

Cause

Shea Doucette, now four years old, suffered hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and cerebral palsy due to an alleged birth injury. Her mother, Jenna Doucette, had been diagnosed with placenta percreta, a severe form of placenta accreta spectrum, during prenatal care. She sought treatment from Dr. Abdulla Al-Khan at The Center for Abnormal Placentation at Hackensack University Medical Center.

On March 8, 2020, before her scheduled cesarean section on March 11, Jenna experienced a massive uterine rupture and placental abruption. This led to an emergency C-section, which deprived Shea of oxygen at birth. As a result, she suffered severe brain damage, leading to lifelong cerebral palsy. Jenna also faced life-threatening complications, including massive internal bleeding. She required multiple blood transfusions and was admitted to the ICU for intensive care.

Injuries

Shea Doucette’s birth injury left her with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and cerebral palsy, conditions that permanently affect her motor function and cognitive abilities. Jenna endured serious medical complications, including significant blood loss, multiple transfusions, and an extended ICU stay.

The Doucette family faced overwhelming emotional and financial burdens. They required substantial medical care, specialized therapies, and long-term accommodations for Shea’s condition.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Evan Doucette, individually | Jenna Doucette, individually | Shea Doucette, a minor, by her guardian ad litem and mother, Jenna Doucette.
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Daryl L. Zaslow | Frances Wang Deveney
  • Defendant(s): Abdulla Al-Khan | The Center for Abnormal Placentation at Hackensack University Medical Center | Hackensack Meridian Health |  Dr. Jesus Rafael Alvarez-Perez
    • Counsel for Defendants: William J. Buckley | Robert T. Evers

Claims

The plaintiffs alleged that Dr. Al-Khan and Hackensack University Medical Center failed to schedule the C-section at the appropriate time, despite Jenna’s high-risk condition. Medical experts in the case stated that patients with placenta percreta should undergo delivery between 34 and 36 weeks. However, Jenna’s C-section had been scheduled for 37 weeks, which plaintiffs argued was a critical error. This delay, they claimed, caused the uterine rupture, placental abruption, and Shea’s devastating birth injury.

Further, Plaintiffs emphasized that this medical malpractice case did not involve complex fetal monitoring issues. Instead, it centered on a straightforward scheduling mistake.

Defense

The defendants denied any medical malpractice and insisted that their treatment followed the accepted standard of care for placenta percreta without placenta previa. They maintained that scheduling delivery at 37 weeks was medically appropriate for a stable patient. Additionally, they invoked the assumption of risk doctrine, arguing that Jenna understood the complications of her condition and accepted the risks.

Jury Verdict

On January 3, 2025, the parties reached a $17 million settlement in Shea Doucette’s birth injury lawsuit. The agreement ensured financial support for her lifetime medical care, therapies, and accommodations.

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com