Daniel E. Holloway Medical malpractice, other select cases
Email me about your case.
Real case examples

Pediatric Associates of Savannah complaint alleges respiratory-distress failures before infant death

The complaint alleges that a pediatrician and Pediatric Associates of Savannah failed to adequately assess and treat a premature infant’s persistent respiratory distress despite visible breathing retractions and urgent communications from outside therapists. According to the complaint, the office failed to respond to therapist warnings about respiratory and feeding problems, the infant was later rushed to the emergency department in serious condition, and the child died after extensive treatment.

System
Pediatric Associates of Savannah
Facility
Pediatric Associates of Savannah
Providers involved
Pediatric Associates of Savannah, P.C. / Paul L. Nave, M.D. / John Steven Hobby, M.D.
Pattern
Alleged failure to monitor and treat persistent respiratory distress in a premature infant
Harm
Alleged respiratory decline, emergency hospitalization, and infant death

Overview

This page concerns a public complaint alleging that pediatric providers failed to adequately address a premature infant’s persistent respiratory distress before an emergency hospitalization and later death.

Chronology

  1. According to the complaint, the infant was born in January 2021 at 37 weeks with respiratory distress syndrome and low birth weight.
  2. The complaint alleges that the infant was seen by Paul L. Nave, M.D. for multiple pediatric visits between February and October 2021, and that the physician reassured the parents despite visible breathing retractions.
  3. According to the complaint, a therapist faxed the office on September 27, 2021 to report significant respiratory and feeding issues.
  4. According to the complaint, a second urgent fax was sent on October 26, 2021 stating that the infant was not making gains and had labored breathing.
  5. According to the complaint, tachypnea was documented during an October 27, 2021 visit and the infant was rushed to the emergency department in serious condition.
  6. According to the complaint, the infant died on February 8, 2022 after extensive treatment.

Alleged failures

  • The complaint alleges that Dr. Nave failed to adequately assess the infant’s condition or explore specialist consultations with pulmonology and cardiology.
  • The complaint alleges that the physician and office staff failed to respond to urgent therapist communications about the infant’s decline.
  • The complaint alleges that the providers failed to monitor and treat persistent respiratory distress.
  • The complaint alleges that Pediatric Associates of Savannah is vicariously liable for alleged acts and omissions of its physician and office staff.

Entities and tags

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, P.C.Paul L. Nave, M.D.Respiratory distress syndromeTachypneaPremature infantPulmonologyFeeding difficultyChatham CountySavannah, GeorgiaFailure to monitorFailure to treatDelayed diagnosisFailure to respond to warningsWrongful deathPediatricsInfant careRespiratory care

Questions this example answers

What does the Pediatric Associates Savannah respiratory complaint allege?

The complaint alleges that a pediatrician and Pediatric Associates of Savannah failed to adequately assess and treat a premature infant’s persistent respiratory distress despite visible breathing retractions and urgent communications from outside therapists. According to the complaint, the office failed to respond to therapist warnings about respiratory and feeding problems, the infant was later rushed to the emergency department in serious condition, and the child died after extensive treatment.

Who is identified in this public case example?

This public case example identifies Pediatric Associates of Savannah, P.C., Paul L. Nave, M.D., and John Steven Hobby, M.D. It also tags the source-supported entities Pediatric Associates of Savannah, P.C., Paul L. Nave, M.D., Respiratory distress syndrome, Tachypnea, and Premature infant.

What alleged failures are summarized here?

The complaint alleges that Dr. Nave failed to adequately assess the infant’s condition or explore specialist consultations with pulmonology and cardiology. The complaint alleges that the physician and office staff failed to respond to urgent therapist communications about the infant’s decline. The complaint alleges that the providers failed to monitor and treat persistent respiratory distress.