A Las Vegas mother is suing Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, claiming her doctor had been drinking before he delivered her son in May 2015. The story was reported by KTNV in Las Vegas and Us Weekly in early November 2016.
According to the lawsuit, Alex, a 28 year old teacher, says her son suffered Erb’s palsy, a form of arm paralysis caused by nerve damage, because of how the delivery was handled. The suit names Dr. Frank DeLee, and also names the hospital and nurses, arguing they had a duty to step in.
Alex’s mother reportedly recorded cell phone video in the delivery room. In the footage described by Us Weekly, the doctor jokes about a bar, and when a nurse asks if he had been drinking a certain vodka, he answers tequila. Alex’s mother said she smelled alcohol on him before she even saw him. Alex also said her epidural kept wearing off during labor.
Dr. DeLee denies any liability, according to court documents. KTNV reported that his lawyer advised him not to speak on camera. Sunrise Hospital has asked the court to dismiss some of the claims against it. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
“I’m in shock that he’s still practicing medicine,” Alex told Us Weekly.
