Story of Excessive Force in Birth of British Baby Teaches Important Lessons

The U.S. Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health have archived a frightening story of excessive force used in the birth of a baby girl in Surrey, England. The story of newborn Hollie Dinning will hopefully instruct medical delivery teams throughout the world – and her death two days after delivery will not be in vain.

The following information about this horror story are based on the testimony given at a hearing held by the General Medical Council in late April 2008, after the baby’s death and before the defendant, who fled to Sarajevo, had been captured.

The story begins with a locum registrar, Vladan Visnjevac, attending the birth of baby Hollie when difficulties arose. Rather than take what might have been safer measures, Visnjevac grabbed his set of forceps and made four attempts to deliver the child using them.

According to the baby’s mother, Tracey Dinning, “He was yanking so hard I thought my baby’s head was going to be pulled off.” She also said she was afraid she would be pulled off the table during the ordeal.

An expert witness, Dr. John Hare, testified that not only should the forceps never have been used, a vaginal delivery was never possible given the size of the mother’s pelvis and the baby’s position. He added that Dr. Visnjevac had decided against a caesarean delivery before even examining the mother.

The results of his actions were a crushed skull and “massive brain injuries” which led to baby Hollie’s death. When questioned by the police later, Dr. Visnjevac told police he had used a maximum acceptable force of 60 kg, almost three times greater than the actual acceptable force of 23 kg.

The doctor disappeared after that interview and had not been apprehended as of 2008. He will be charged with manslaughter if caught.

The Memphis birth injury lawyers at Bailey & Greer know that, while this story is shocking, it is not an isolated case. Birth injuries do happen and sometimes they are caused by poor medical decisions and care. If your family has been affected by the tragedy of a Tennessee birth injury, call us today toll-free at 901-680-9777 to set up a free case consultation.