In a retrial a Koper court has ruled that the Postojna maternity hospital must pay 800.000 euros in damages to a family from Nova Gorica for birth-related complications in 2005. Primorske Novice reports that during the delivery process the newborn suffered permanent brain damage.

In 2005 the obstetrician on duty did not take into account the patient’s referral for a caesarean and insisted on a vaginal delivery. An attempt to pull the baby out with a vacuum led to a ruptured uterus. The delivery team then performed a caesarean section, but the baby suffered a severe lack of oxygen. The child now has cerebral palsy and a severe form of epilepsy.

In March last year a Koper court ordered the maternity hospital to pay 845.000 euros in damages, however in January this year a higher court annulled the ruling due to flaws within the procedure. At the retrial the Koper court has once again ruled in favour of a high damage payout for the Nova Gorica family.

Primorke Novice reports that the Postojna maternity hospital will most likely appeal the decision once again.