An Aurora, Ill. mother has settled a malpractice lawsuit for $15.35 million with a hospital and doctor after her son suffered brain damage at birth six years ago.
Vanessa Jenkins gave birth to her son, Cody Smithey, at Valley West Community Hospital in Sandwich in October 2001.
Attorneys for Jenkins say the boy suffered cerebral palsy and mental retardation after the doctor unsuccessfully used a vacuum extractor device during his birth.
The lawsuit says Jenkins had an emergency Caesarean section when her son’s heart rate showed he was in distress.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Spain Studies Suspending Madrid-Barcelona Rail After Train Crash 
New US Data Centers Projected to Emit More Carbon Than All of Mexico 
Private Jet’s Pilot Reported Turbulence Before Florida Crash 
Barclays Turns to Insurers to Hedge Billions of Data Center Debt 
Want to stay up to date?
Get the latest insurance news
sent straight to your inbox.