Islam Yasim Ibn Siddiq “Izzy” Peterson was injured at birth in 2005 when hospital staff put the newborn on carbon dioxide instead of oxygen. The 40-minute exposure to the wrong gas gave Izzy a severe brain injury that will require him to be reliant on medical devices and 24-hour surveillance his entire life. The federal government admitted in July of 2006 responsibility for the injuries inflicted on the child, but had not come to a decision on damages compensation.
On Wednesday, August 16, 2006, a government witness testified that Izzy is expected to live another 20 years, entitling him to $10 million in government money at $500,000 a year. However, the attorney of the parents (Shalay and Dwight Peterson) claims that Izzy could actually live another 40 to 45 years, which would entitle him to $20-22.5 million. “We need to make sure he has sufficient funds for his lifetime because it’s very expensive for twenty-four-hour nursing care,” says the Petersons’s attorney.
If you or someone you know has suffered traumatic brain injuries, feel free to contact an experienced TBI lawyer.
