The Biggest Medical Malpractice Verdicts of 2024

New Mexico: $412M Verdict in Case Over Botched ED Treatment

Represented by: Bencoe & Lacour Law, P.C.

Michael E. Sanchez filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Numale Medical Center and its affiliates, alleging that physician assistant Steven Chapman subjected him to unnecessary and harmful treatment. Seeking help for fatigue and weight loss in 2017, Sanchez instead found himself pressured into erectile dysfunction treatments he neither requested nor needed. Chapman administered an excessive dose of medication during a personal demonstration, which led to a prolonged, painful medical emergency. The delay in appropriate treatment resulted in irreversible damage, leaving Sanchez with severe and permanent injuries.

A jury awarded Sanchez a record-setting $412 million verdict, including $375 million in punitive damages, finding the defendants’ conduct to be willful, wanton, and reckless. The lawsuit highlighted allegations of fraudulent medical practices, with attorneys arguing that the clinic engaged in unethical sales tactics to exploit patients for profit. The defense maintained that Chapman acted within medical standards, but the jury sided with Sanchez, sending a strong message about the consequences of medical negligence and misconduct.

Michigan: $120M Verdict in Birth Injury Malpractice Case

Represented by: McKeen & Associates, P.C.

A Wayne County jury awarded $120 million to Kirsten Drake and her son, K’Jon, in a medical malpractice lawsuit against Henry Ford Health System. The lawsuit alleged that a more than two-hour delay in performing an emergency C-section caused K’Jon to suffer severe asphyxiation, leading to permanent brain damage and cerebral palsy. Attorneys argued that the attending obstetrician and four nurses failed to act with urgency despite clear signs of fetal distress. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services joined the lawsuit due to the significant cost of K’Jon’s medical care.

The health system announced plans to appeal, stating the verdict was inconsistent with the case facts. However, the Drakes' attorneys emphasized that K’Jon will require lifelong medical care, therapy, and specialized home modifications to accommodate his disabilities. Attorney Brian McKeen criticized the delay in treatment as a clear breach of the standard of care, calling the injury "foreseeable and entirely preventable." The jury's decision is among the largest medical malpractice verdicts in Michigan history, reinforcing the need for prompt intervention in cases of fetal distress.

Illinois: $75.8M Verdict in Birth Injury Case Over Improper Delivery Maneuver

Represented by: Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.

A Cook County jury awarded $75.8 million to Hannah Housen, a young girl who suffered severe brain damage and permanent physical injuries during birth at the University of Chicago Hospital. The lawsuit alleged that physicians negligently attempted to reposition Hannah from a head-down position to breech, a maneuver that was unnecessary and improperly executed. During the delivery, excessive force caused fractures and nerve damage, and Hannah was born in critical condition, requiring emergency brain surgery within her first 24 hours. Today, she suffers from significant cognitive and physical impairments, including a non-functioning left arm and mobility challenges.

The hospital’s defense argued that the maneuver was appropriate and that Hannah’s injuries stemmed from decreased blood flow rather than trauma at birth. However, the jury sided with the plaintiffs, awarding damages for past and future medical care, pain and suffering, and loss of earnings. The plaintiff’s attorney, Patrick A. Salvi II, emphasized the verdict's importance, stating it ensures Hannah receives the lifelong care she requires. The decision marks a significant outcome in birth injury litigation, underscoring the critical importance of proper obstetric care.

Illinois: $66M Verdict in Wrongful Death Case Over Botched Plastic Surgery

Represented by: Clifford Law Offices

A Cook County jury awarded $66 million to the family of Idalia Corcoles, a 39-year-old mother of four who died from severe internal bleeding after a botched liposuction and tummy tuck procedure. The lawsuit alleged that Michigan-based surgeon Dr. Ayoub Sayeg ignored Corcoles' worsening condition, leaving her in the care of an inexperienced nurse while performing surgery on another patient. Despite her deteriorating vitals, including a heart rate exceeding 200 bpm, Sayeg failed to conduct a basic abdominal exam. By the time she was transferred to a hospital, Corcoles had lost over two liters of blood, leading to multi-organ failure and her eventual death.

The jury held Sayeg and his businesses liable for medical negligence, awarding damages for grief, emotional suffering, and the loss of love and companionship. Plaintiff’s attorney Brad Cosgrove called it the largest wrongful death medical malpractice verdict in Illinois history, emphasizing that it could prompt regulatory action against Sayeg’s medical practices. The defense argued that Sayeg followed standard procedures and was unaware of Corcoles’ internal bleeding, but the jury rejected those claims. The case highlights the dangers of unregulated cosmetic surgery clinics and the consequences of medical negligence.

Tennessee: $47M Verdict in Birth Injury Case Over Delayed Delivery

Represented by: K&L Gates

A Nashville jury awarded nearly $47 million to the family of Vivian Lee Boughton, who suffered severe brain damage due to alleged medical negligence during her birth at St. Thomas Midtown Hospital. The lawsuit claimed that nurses failed to recognize and respond to persistent fetal distress, delaying delivery and causing a hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) event. Vivian was born limp and unresponsive, and later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and developmental delays. While the family settled with the attending physician before trial, the case proceeded against the hospital, focusing on the nurses’ role in failing to act promptly.

After an 18-day trial, the jury found the hospital primarily responsible, assigning 75% of the fault to its nursing staff. The verdict included $20.9 million for pain and suffering and permanent injury, along with $26 million in future medical expenses and lost earnings. The hospital denied wrongdoing, arguing that any delay was not the primary cause of Vivian’s condition. However, plaintiff attorneys emphasized the preventability of her injuries, calling the decision the largest birth injury verdict in Tennessee history.

Pennsylvania: $44.9M Verdict in Medical Negligence Case Over Teen’s Preventable Brain Injury

Represented by: The Duffy Firm

A Philadelphia jury awarded nearly $45 million to Dylan Hernandez, a 19-year-old who requires lifelong 24-hour care due to alleged medical negligence at Temple University Hospital. Hernandez, then 15, was hospitalized after suffering a gunshot wound to the neck. Despite being diagnosed with a swallowing disorder, he was discharged without adequate precautions. Less than 48 hours later, he aspirated while eating, leading to cardiac arrest and severe brain damage. The lawsuit argued that the hospital failed to ensure proper post-injury care, neglecting critical recommendations from a speech therapist.

Defense attorneys contended that Hernandez’s complications were unforeseeable, but the jury ruled in favor of the plaintiff, awarding damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lifelong care needs. Plaintiff’s attorney Tom Duffy emphasized the case’s significance, stating that the verdict ensures Hernandez will receive necessary care for the rest of his life. With delay damages, the total award is expected to reach nearly $52 million, marking a substantial victory in medical malpractice litigation.

Illinois: $41M Verdict in Medical Malpractice Case Over Preventable Stroke

Represented by: Hurley McKenna & Mertz

A Cook County jury awarded $41 million to a 72-year-old lawyer who suffered a catastrophic stroke after his medical providers failed to properly manage his anticoagulation medication. The man was hospitalized for pneumonia in 2016, during which he developed kidney complications requiring dialysis. Despite being prescribed an anticoagulant to prevent stroke, his doctors failed to monitor and adjust his blood levels appropriately. Weeks after his discharge, dangerously low anticoagulation levels led to a massive stroke, leaving him paralyzed on his left side and unable to continue practicing law.

The lawsuit alleged negligence by St. Francis Hospital, cardiologists, and other providers for failing to coordinate care and monitor his medication. The defense attempted to shift blame among the various medical teams, but the jury found them collectively responsible. One of the plaintiff’s attorneys described the verdict as bittersweet, emphasizing the profound impact on the lawyer’s life and career. The award ensures he will receive 24-hour care for his permanent disabilities, marking a significant ruling in Illinois medical malpractice litigation.