Illinois woman settles for $15 million in hospital malpractice suit

An Illinois woman whose child suffered brain damage at birth in a Sandwich hospital has settled a malpractice suit against the doctor, hospital and staff for $15.35 million, one of the largest settlements of its kind in the state. The woman delivered her son at Valley West Community Hospital in October 2001. The boy suffered cerebral palsy and mental retardation as a result of medical negligence during delivery, the woman's lawyers said.