Premature Birth Lawsuit Filed Against Ozarks Technical Community College

Strategic Insights -

A 17-year-old student at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, Missouri, is suing the school and a construction contractor after claiming exposure to toxic fumes during a renovation project led to her giving birth 16 weeks prematurely. The lawsuit alleges that the college and contractor failed to protect students by not monitoring air quality, relocating classrooms, or using ventilation and negative air pressure to limit exposure to toxic fumes. According to the lawsuit, the student's pregnancy was normal as of September 23, but less than a week later, she was exposed to "overwhelmingly severe" toxic fumes in class during the renovations. This exposure led to severe illness, vomiting, and premature labor, resulting in the birth of a baby who was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 14 days and faces lifelong specialized care due to life-threatening complications.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a 17-year-old student and her infant son against Ozarks Technical Community College and DeWitt & Associates Inc.
  • The student claims that exposure to toxic fumes during a renovation project caused her to give birth 16 weeks prematurely.
  • The lawsuit alleges that the college and contractor failed to protect students by not monitoring air quality, relocating classrooms, or using ventilation and negative air pressure.
  • The student's pregnancy was normal as of September 23, but she was exposed to "overwhelmingly severe" toxic fumes in class during the renovations on September 29.
  • The exposure led to severe illness, vomiting, and premature labor, resulting in the birth of a baby who was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 14 days.
  • The baby faces lifelong specialized care due to life-threatening complications, including respiratory problems, low blood pressure, jaundice, anemia, lung infections, retinopathy, and bleeding into the brain.
  • The lawsuit also named OTC as a defendant in addition to DeWitt & Associates Inc.

Statistics:

  • 16 weeks: the duration of premature birth
  • 1 lb. 6 oz.: the weight of the baby at birth
  • 11 inches: the length of the baby at birth
  • 14 days: the length of time the baby was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  • 17: the age of the student who filed the lawsuit

Sources:

  • Springfield News-Leader
  • The Independent
  • [External reference: https://www.greenecounty Circuit Court, Missouri]