The Quaids Reach A Settlement With Hospital

PEOPLE reports that Dennis Quaid and his wife Kimberly have reached a settlement of $750,000 against Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for the accidental overdose of their newborn twins, Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace in 2007.

Papers filed in LA Superior Court on Monday say: "The settlement is the result of extensive negotiations between the parties and their respective legal representatives, and is intended to avoid the time, expense and uncertainty of litigation." The Quaids' attorney declined to comment.

Just two weeks after the Quaid twins were born in November 2007 via gestational carrier, they were accidentally given a massive overdose of the blood thinner Heparin, and spent days in critical condition. The babies recovered and are now in excellent health.

Further to this settlement, Cedars-Sinai has been fined $25,000 by the California Department of Public Health. A hospital spokesman said the facility intends to pay the fine. The hospital has since apologized to the Quaids and has taken the necessary steps to better train their staff.

The Quaids have also filed a lawsuit against Heparin's drug maker, Baxter Healthcare Corp., asking for better packaging of the drug since the adult and pediatric doses are in similar vials. The settlement with Cedars does not affect that lawsuit.

Photo: Pacific Coast News