Mississippi Supreme Court raises bar for patients to sue

In August, the Mississippi Supreme Court dismissed a case of alleged obstetric violence.

Key points

• Barbara Davey-Sullivan and The Woman's Clinic of Mississippi PLLC, began after the 2018 birth of Shani Brown's third child.
• "Please don't cut me, " Brown informed her doctor, according to the legal filing.
• She did not tell Brown why, according to records.

In August, the Mississippi Supreme Court dismissed a case of alleged obstetric violence. Experts say that decision set a precedent that could create litigating similar cases harder and more costly.

For context, the case, Brown v. Dr. Barbara Davey-Sullivan and The Woman's Clinic of Mississippi PLLC, began after the 2018 birth of Shani Brown's third child. When she first arrived at the hospital, Brown signed paperwork agreeing to potential surgical interventions, according to her hospital consent form. During labor, her doctor confirmed she intended to perform an episiotomy, a surgical cut sometimes produced during childbirth to widen the vaginal opening. Brown, who had a previous episiotomy, revoked consent, according to records.

For context, the doctor performed the procedure anyway. She did not tell Brown why, according to records.

In short, mississippi Supreme Court raises bar for patients to sue is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.