UCI Medical Center Settles Birth Injury Case for $1M

Case Background

Sade Mitchell and Lorenzo Mitchell filed a wrongful death and medical negligence lawsuit against the Regents of the University of California, doing business as UCI Medical Center, following the tragic death of their infant son, Malachi Mitchell. The case arose from events surrounding Sade Mitchell’s labor and delivery in August 2022 at UCI Medical Center in Orange County.

Sade was admitted on August 7, 2022, after her doctors noted symptoms of preeclampsia and a urinary tract infection. Medical staff had determined two days earlier that she required an immediate induction due to her worsening condition. However, that plan was not promptly communicated or acted upon. Despite ongoing signs of distress, labor induction and interventions were delayed for more than forty-eight hours.

By the evening of August 8, fetal monitoring showed clear evidence of distress, including persistent fetal bradycardia. Still, the cesarean section was not performed until after 10:00 p.m. When Malachi was finally delivered, he was limp, cyanotic, and non-responsive. He required immediate intubation and critical care. Despite exhaustive medical efforts, Malachi never recovered. He survived for nearly two months before passing away on September 30, 2022.

Cause

Wrongful Death Due to Medical Negligence

The Mitchells alleged that UCI Medical Center’s physicians, nurses, and staff negligently delayed critical medical decisions that would have prevented Malachi’s injuries and death. They claimed the hospital failed to timely induce labor, recognize and respond to fetal distress, and provide the necessary cesarean delivery. The complaint asserted that the medical team ignored urgent signs of danger despite the mother’s high-risk condition.

Medical Malpractice (Survival Action)

Through Malachi’s successor in interest, his mother, Sade Mitchell, the family brought a separate medical malpractice claim for t