Articles Tagged With: Malpractice
-
Court Upholds Record $207 Million Malpractice Verdict
In July 2025, an appellate court unanimously affirmed a record-breaking medical malpractice judgment of $207 million against a hospital for catastrophic birth injuries. The case involved a newborn who sustained severe brain damage leading to cerebral palsy and profound lifelong disabilities after a mishandled delivery at the hospital. A jury had awarded $183 million (later increased to $207 million with delay damages) for the child’s future care needs and pain and suffering. On appeal, the hospital argued that the verdict was exorbitant and unsupported, but the appellate court held that the award did not “shock the conscience” in light of the trial evidence.
-
Jury Awards $20 Million in Fatal Surgery Malpractice Case
A jury awarded $20 million to the estate of a 68-year-old patient who died following what was supposed to be a routine abdominal surgery. The three-week trial revealed that the patient experienced internal bleeding during a sigmoid colon resection, but neither the hospital’s surgeons nor the anesthesia group recognized or adequately responded to it. By the time action was taken, the patient had entered hemorrhagic shock and could not be revived.
-
Hospital Wins Dismissal After Expert Nurse Excluded in Neonatal Injury Suit
In a professional negligence case, an appellate court affirmed summary judgment in favor of a healthcare provider after the plaintiffs failed to present admissible expert evidence on both breach of care and causation.
-
Failure to Match Board Certifications Leads to Malpractice Case Dismissal
In a medical malpractice case, an appellate court affirmed the dismissal of a wrongful death claim against a critical care physician because of the plaintiff’s failure to submit a compliant affidavit of merit.
-
Philadelphia Jury Awards $6.8M After Hospital Fails to Find Stomach Perforation
On Nov. 22, 2024, a Philadelphia County jury awarded $6.8 million in a medical malpractice case to the estate of a patient who died after experiencing complications from a procedure to treat liver cancer. The lawsuit alleged negligence on the part of the hospital and its medical staff for failing to identify a stomach perforation that occurred during the procedure.
-
Pennsylvania Court Affirms $8 Million Verdict for Failure To Repair Uterine Artery
On Dec. 6, 2024, the Pennsylvania Superior Court upheld an $8 million jury verdict against a hospital in a medical malpractice case stemming from a cesarean delivery procedure. The appellate court found sufficient evidence to hold the hospital vicariously liable for its employees’ conduct, affirming claims that failures during surgery and post-operative care led to permanent harm to the plaintiff.
-
Surgeon Who Erred with Liver Suspended in Second State
The surgeon whose license was suspended in Florida for a shocking medical error has had his license suspended in Alabama for that and other incidents.
-
Extreme Surgical Error Shows Never Events Still Happen
A stunning surgical error in Florida is a reminder that never events still can happen and underscores the importance of a hospital culture that encourages clinicians to speak up when they suspect something is wrong.
-
Hospital May Be Held Liable for ‘Independent Contractor’ Surgeon’s Alleged Mistakes
A Texas Appellate Court recently decided that a nonprofit hospital could be held vicariously liable for a botched brain surgery that left a minor permanently disabled. The hospital’s argument that the defendant surgeon was an independent contractor rather than an employee was dismissed by the court. This ruling opens the door for the family of the injured plaintiff, who sued on her behalf, to continue their case against the hospital and doctor and, if successful, seek to hold the hospital responsible for damages.
-
Minnesota Orthopedic Center Settles Injury Suit Before Second Trial
A settlement has been reached in a high-stakes lawsuit between an orthopedics center and former patient stemming from a 2017 emergency surgery that allegedly led to catastrophic and permanent injuries to the patient’s leg. This settlement comes just before a second trial was set to begin after a jury previously had awarded the patient $110 million in damages — a verdict later vacated by the court for being excessive.