Virginia Beach Family Settles Medical Malpractice Claim For $2.3 Million

The U.S. Justice Department recently entered into a medical malpractice settlement with a Virginia Beach family following claims of inadequate care at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. Scott and Michelle Holweger filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the United States government last year seeking $15 million in damages after their child was born with developmental disabilities and neurological injuries.

In 2006, Michele Holweger was admitted into the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center when she was 35 weeks pregnant after suffering from severe abdominal cramping. Several hours after she was admitted, Mrs. Holweger had an emergency cesarean section to deliver her child. Unfortunately, during the surgery, the child suffered from oxygen deprivation, which may have caused the developmental disabilities and neurological injuries that the child was later diagnosed with.

The $2.3 million dollar settlement was reached between the parties and approved by U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar in January. According to local sources, approximately $54,000 of the settlement will be used to pay for the child’s medical expenses. The remaining $1.57 million dollars will be placed into a trust account for the purpose of caring for the child’s future needs.