Jury: NC hospital negligent in child abuse case

FAYETTEVILLE, NC (AP) — A Cumberland County jury has awarded a boy and his father $25 million, ruling that a hospital was negligent when its employees didn’t notice the boy was a victim of child abuse.

But The Fayetteville Observer reported that Cape Fear Valley Health System will pay less than the jury’s award to 14-year-old Ajamu Gaines Jr., and his father. The two
sides reached a private settlement following the verdict Monday.

Testimony showed Ajamu was brought to the hospital in 2003 with old and new broken bones, and again three months later with a brain injury to the then 6-year-old.

An attorney says the hospital disagrees with the verdict.

Ajamu lives in Charleston, WV, with his father, who says the money will ensure lifelong care for his son.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)