A couple who claimed better communication between hospital staff could have prevented their infant's death received a $250,000 settlement from their doctor and hospital. In May 2005, Jezel Elizarde gave birth to a daughter at Laredo Regional Medical Center. Within hours of her birth, the baby began to show signs of respiratory distress. However, Elizarde and her husband alleged the hospital nurse didn't properly inform Dr. Roberto Villegas, the neonatologist, about the seriousness of the baby's symptoms. The couple also claimed that when Villegas arrived, he failed to order the aggressive treatment needed to save the baby's life. She died 20 hours after her birth due to cardiopulmonary collapse. Villegas said he ordered the appropriate tests and blamed the nurse for failing to give him the proper information. The hospital denied negligence.
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