Laura Minthorne, et al v. Legacy Health, et al

Case Background

On March 18, 2021, Plaintiff  Laura Minthorne filed a medical malpractice and birth injury lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Multnomah County, Oregon State (Case number: 21CV49286). Judge  Andrew Lavin presided over this case.

Cause

In 2019, the plaintiff received prenatal care at Women’s Healthcare Associates (WHA), where Dr. Gary Burgoine oversaw her pregnancy, labor, and delivery. On December 31, 2019, she went into labor and arrived at Legacy Meridian Park Hospital in Tualatin, Oregon, for childbirth. The baby was delivered via cesarean section on January XX, 2020.

During labor, Dr. Burgoine administered Pitocin without obtaining the plaintiff’s informed consent. The medical staff, including Legacy nurses and WHA providers, allegedly mismanaged her labor, which led to severe physical injuries. After delivery, she remained in the hospital until her discharge on January 4, 2020. The hospital staff and WHA providers failed to provide adequate postpartum care, which worsened her condition and delayed proper diagnosis.

Injuries

The plaintiff suffered significant and permanent injuries due to alleged medical malpractice. She developed a neurogenic bladder, which caused a loss of bladder control. She also experienced detrusor sphincter dyssynergia, leading to severe urinary dysfunction. Chronic pelvic pain further affected her daily life. The trauma from the birth injury resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Dr. Burgoine and WHA providers failed to recognize and address her symptoms, which led to a delayed diagnosis. This delay worsened her condition, causing permanent damage. The plaintiff’s injuries severely impacted her physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

Damages

As a result of medical malpractice, the plaintiff endured physical, emotional, and financial hardship. She required ongoing medical treatment, including catheterization, pain management, and therapy for PTSD. Chronic pain and bladder dysfunction significantly reduced her quality of life. The delayed diagnosis increased her medical expenses, forcing her to seek specialized care.

The plaintiff also suffered emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. The financial burden of continuous medical treatment added further strain. Her permanent birth injury made daily activities challenging, leaving her with lasting physical and psychological trauma.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Laura Minthorne | Kevin Brown
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Hermine Hayes-Klein | Drake Hood
  • Defendant(s): Legacy Health | Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center | Women’s Healthcare Associates, LLC | Dr. Gary Burgoine, M.D.
    • Counsel for Defendants: Karen O’Kasey | Donna Lee | Peter Tuenge | Colleen Scott

Claims

The plaintiff filed a medical malpractice lawsuit, alleging multiple acts of negligence:

  • Gary Burgoine administered Pitocin without informed consent, violating her patient rights.
  • Legacy nurses and WHA providers negligently managed her labor, causing severe pelvic floor and bladder injuries.
  • Legacy nurses and WHA providers provided inadequate postpartum care. Their failure to recognize and treat her injuries before discharge worsened her condition.
  • Burgoine and WHA providers failed to assess and address her injuries after discharge. They dismissed her symptoms during follow-up appointments, leading to a delayed diagnosis and permanent damage.

Defense

Dr. Gary Burgoine and Women’s Healthcare Associates (WHA) denied the allegations. Dr. Burgoine claimed he provided appropriate prenatal care and managed the plaintiff’s labor and delivery according to medical standards. He asserted that he obtained informed consent before administering Pitocin. His defense argued that his treatment decisions aligned with accepted obstetric practices and did not contribute to the plaintiff’s injuries.

Legacy Health also denied liability. It claimed that its nurses correctly monitored and managed the plaintiff’s labor, delivery, and bladder condition. Legacy Health maintained that its medical staff followed the standard of care and did not cause or worsen her injuries.

Jury Verdict

On October 21, 2024, the jury ruled in favor of the plaintiff. They awarded her a total of $1,730,000 in damages. This amount included $30,000 in economic damages for medical expenses and financial losses. It also covered $1,700,000 in non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life.

The jury found Women’s Healthcare Associates (WHA) 100% liable for the plaintiff’s injuries. They determined that WHA’s negligence directly caused her permanent bladder damage and chronic pain. However, the jury ruled in favor of Legacy Health, concluding that its nurses did not contribute to the plaintiff’s birth injury.

Court Documents:

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