California mother and newborn died after discharge; jury awards $9.25m, but old law limits payout

A family waited seven years for a jury to decide whether a doctor's negligence contributed to the deaths of a young mother and her newborn son. In California, 23-year-old Demi Dominguez died in April 2019 after being discharged from hospital with symptoms of a serious pregnancy complication. Her baby, Malakhi De Leon, also died shortly after an emergency delivery. On October 21, 2026, a jury found former obstetrician-gynecologist Arthur Park negligent and awarded the two families a combined $9.25 million. However, an older California medical malpractice law means they cannot collect the full amount.According to a verdict announcement published by patient advocacy organisation Consumer Watchdog, the jury awarded $3 million to Dominguez's mother, Tracy Dominguez, and $6.25 million to Malakhi's father, Xavier De Leon. The decision followed a trial in Kern County, Bakersfield, concerning the medical care provided before the deaths.Woman discharged after showing signs of preeclampsiaAccording to Consumer Watchdog's account of the case, Dominguez was eight months pregnant when she began experiencing symptoms including swelling, high blood pressure and blurred vision. Concerned about her condition, she sought medical attention at Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield.Park was the obstetrician-gynecologist responsible for her hospital care. Dominguez reportedly told him about her elevated blood pressure and swelling, but her concerns were not adequately addressed.