COMPLAINT - American Association for Justice

a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Tennessee for the
purpose of providing hospital care to patients. At all material times, defendant St.
Thomas acted by and through its agents, servants and/or employees, who in turn were
acting within the course and/or scope of their employment.
5. Marissa Creager presented to defendants Oldfield and Growdon and was
followed in their office for obstetrical care during her pregnancy. Her initial pre-natal
examination was in mid-1996.
6. During her pregnancy genetic tests were done on the baby which revealed
no evidence of genetic defects.
7. Marissa Creager was admitted to St. Thomas Hospital on or about March
31, 1997 for induction of labor.
8. The membranes were artificially ruptured and induction started in the
morning hours of March 31, 1997. The induction was done with Pitocin.
9. After the start of the induction an epidural was placed.
10. Sometime in the early afternoon, the fetal monitor revealed a deceleration
associated with a tetanic contraction. At that point the Pitocin was discontinued but was
restarted shortly afterward.
11. Throughout the day, while her labor was augmented with Pitocin, Marissa
Creager’s cervix dilated slower than expected.
12. Sometime in the afternoon of March 31, 1997 the fetal monitor strip
exhibited signs of fetal distress.
13. These signs generally became more significant through the later afternoon
and early evening hours.
14. Repetitive late decelerations developed on the monitor strip, but the nurses
and agents of defendant St. Thomas never informed defendant Oldfield of their presence.
15. Sometime around 8:15 p.m. defendant Oldfield became concerned about
the tracings.
16. Around 8:15 p.m., defendant Oldfield noted that Marissa Creager had a
high station which needed to be advanced before delivery could be accomplished.
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