In a dramatic legal battle that underscores the critical importance of emergency medical care, a mother has taken legal action against a Florida hospital and an osteopathic physician. Jenny Dolcine-Clark filed a complaint on March 27, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, against Wellington Regional Medical Center and Dr. Nicole Marie Kriske. The lawsuit accuses them of medical negligence resulting in severe harm to her infant son.
The case revolves around events that transpired shortly after L.C., Dolcine-Clark's son, was born on January 27, 2023. Concerned about her newborn's feeding intake, Dolcine-Clark sought emergency medical assistance at Wellington Regional Medical Center on January 30, 2023. According to the complaint, Dr. Kriske discharged L.C. within forty minutes without conducting essential examinations such as weighing the infant or checking his blood glucose levels. The following day, L.C.'s condition worsened significantly; he was found to be in extremis at a pediatrician's office and subsequently transported to Palms West Hospital where he suffered seizures and was unresponsive.
The lawsuit alleges that due to the negligent actions of Dr. Kriske and by extension Wellington Regional Medical Center, L.C. sustained permanent brain damage. It further claims that this negligence breached the prevailing professional standard of care expected from healthcare providers under similar circumstances.
Jenny Dolcine-Clark seeks damages exceeding $500,000 for her son's injuries which include bodily harm, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of life enjoyment among others. Additionally, she claims personal damages for loss of parental consortium both past and future due to the incident.
The plaintiff argues that Wellington Regional Medical Center is vicariously liable for Dr. Kriske’s actions since she was acting as their agent when providing emergency room services. The hospital had contracted Emergency Specialists of Wellington LLC to provide these services through Dr. Kriske who was employed by them at the time.
Dolcine-Clark’s legal team emphasizes that all necessary pre-suit requirements were met before filing this lawsuit including conducting a thorough investigation with qualified experts corroborating reasonable grounds for believing negligence occurred.
Representing Jenny Dolcine-Clark are attorneys Nancy La Vista and Michael S. Smith from Halberg & Fogg PLLC based in Palm Beach Gardens Florida. The Case Number is: 502025CA002872XXXAMB Div: AF.