Medical malpractice lawsuits usually end up settling out of court, and the settlement amounts vary widely by state, as some states place caps on the amount of money recoverable for non-economic Damages. Below we have highlighted some of the larger, recent settlements and jury awards. These are updated regularly:
$2.5 Million Settlement Reached in Psychiatrist Negligence Case
In Boston, a four year old girl lost her life due to a prescription drug overdose. As a result, the psychiatrist that was treating her was found to be negligent for succumbing to her parents insistance that she had ADHD.
$5.5 Million Awarded to Mother for Birth Malpractice
In Illinois, a jury awarded $5.5 million in damages to a new mother whose son was born with Brain Damage caused by a failure to perform immediate c-section. The mother was induced, but the fetal heart rate began to drop indicating a lack of oxygen. The hospital and two doctors were found negligent due to a failure to react promptly to the changing fetal vital signs.
$2.1 Million Jury Award for Wrongful Death in Pennsylvania
A four year old boy was admitted for respiratory illness stemming from pneumonia. Due to the hospitals failure to treat the young boy in a timely manner, he lost his life. His parents filed a medical malpractice suit against the hospital and a jury awarded them $2.1 million for the wrongful death of their son.
Wisconsin Surgical Malpractice Results in Brain Damage and $17.3 Million Settlement
In Wisconsin, a six year old girl went in for a splenectomy. The surgeon used an instrument for which he was not properly trained and caused severe blood loss during the surgery which caused cardiac arrest and lead to permanent brain damage. She is now permanently disabled and confined to a wheelchair.
New York Birth Injury Resulting in Brain Damage Settles for $4.5 Million
In New York, a medical malpractice law firm representing the parents of an injured newborn entered into a confidential settlement in the amount of $4.5 million. The baby was born with severe brain damage caused by the doctors failure to monitor fetal vital signs. The fetus was deprived of oxygen and required a c-section which was not performed.
Florida Brain Damage Case Results in $216 Million Verdict
In Florida, a man was admitted to an emergency room and his symptoms were misdiagnosed as a headache. Unfortunately, in reality he was suffering a stroke, and the misdignosis left him permanently brain damaged. Of the $216 million verdict, over $100 million was awarded for punitive damages.
Massachusetts Jury Awards $40 Million for Birth Injury Case
After six hours of deliberation, a jury awarded $40 million to the parents of a child suffering Cerebral Palsy due to mishandling of a difficult birth. The failure of the doctors to immediately perform a c-section upon signs of fetal distress (they waited five hours to deliver) caused permanent Brain Injury to the child.
$38.5 Million Awarded for a Connecticut Cerebral Palsy Case
In Connecticut, a jury awarded $38.5 million to the parents of a child, who due to a failure to timely deliver, suffered serious brain injury and cerebral palsy.
$9.9 Million Settlement Reached in California Wrongful Death Case
In California, a state with a $250,000 cap on non-economic damages, a $9.9 million settlement was reached in a case involving the wrongful death of a young advertising executive. This is likely one of the largest settlements in California medical malpractice history. The large settlement was possible due to the high earning ability of the young victim.
Milwaukee Girls Parents Receive $23 Million Jury Award for Wrongful Death
Parents of a Milwaukee teenager who was left to suffer for 15 hours with a twisted bowel that required immediate surgery were awarded $23 million for her wrongful death. In this tragic case, the young teenage girl had to go through 89 surgeries before succumbing to infection two years after the negligent medical treatment.
$14 Million Awarded to Man Left Disabled Due to Misdiagnosis and Improper Procedure
In Illinois, a man complaining of slurred speech and numbness of his hands was mistreated with a stint in the corticoid artery, which then leaked and caused brain pressure and ultimately brain damage. The standard of care in these cases calls for aspirin and plavix. The unnecessary procedure left the man permanently disabled.
