Even though it is only July 2025, there have been some impressive medical malpractice verdicts throughout the country. Juries remain willing to recognize that patients and their families have experienced significant pain and suffering due to healthcare providers' negligence and are compensating them accordingly.
As with most civil cases, most medical negligence cases are settled out of court confidentially, meaning that the terms and settlement amounts cannot be included here. However, the medical malpractice attorneys at Morris James can guide you on the relevant factors in your case that could affect your right to compensation.
Contact our experienced medical malpractice lawyers online or call us at 302.888.6857 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
In January 2025, a New Mexico jury awarded Michelle Torma $16.75 million for her injuries after physicians left a 13-inch metal retractor inside her abdomen. The retractor remained undetected inside her for 58 days, causing her severe pain and medical issues. The patient had to undergo a second surgery as a result and encountered other medical risks. Recognizing that the hospital did not adhere to appropriate patient safety protocols and was grossly negligent, the jury awarded $15 million in punitive damages against the hospital and $1.75 million for her pain and suffering.
In January 2025, a Massachusetts jury awarded $17 million to the family of a woman who died after undergoing elective hernia surgery. The plaintiffs claimed that the patient, who was 57 years old, experienced a bowel perforation that was not identified promptly, causing the patient's death. Although the defense claimed that there were no complications with the surgery and that the perforation likely occurred later, the jury accepted that the physicians failed to follow up on the patient's complaints and, instead, relied on the medical advice of an unqualified assistant that the patient was doing well. The jury's award recognized the impact of poor care on this patient and her family.
In February 2025, a Wisconsin jury awarded over $10.2 million to Ka'Mya Minor, a six-year-old who suffered severe brain damage at birth due to the medical negligence of a clinician and a nurse. The plaintiffs claimed that the clinicians administered too much Pitocin during the mother's labor, and this caused prolonged contractions that caused permanent injuries, including cerebral palsy. Rejecting the defense claims that the mother was at fault, the jury awarded amounts that would support the patient's extensive medical needs.
In February 2025, a jury awarded the family of Bennie Moore $13.75 million after she died from anesthesia complications. The plaintiffs claimed that Ms. Moore suffered a fatal brain injury after an anesthesiologist's assistant administered an excessive dose of anesthesia during a diagnostic procedure and failed to recognize her respiratory failure promptly. Ms. Moore later died. The jury apportioned liability between both the assistant and the supervising anesthesiologist and awarded amounts for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and Ms. Moore's wrongful death.
In March 2025, a South Carolina jury awarded $16 million to a family whose baby died due to the negligence of hospital staff and doctors. The plaintiffs claimed that the clinicians failed to respond appropriately to signs that the baby was in distress and needed to be delivered immediately. Instead, the hospital staff delayed a C-section, causing the baby to suffer a fatal brain injury. The jury disagreed that the care was appropriate and awarded amounts for medical expenses and the family's emotional damages.
In March 2025, an Oregon jury awarded former Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson $20.6 million for his career-ending injuries. Mr. Gleeson was scheduled for surgery to address his chronic leg pain, but during the surgery, the orthopedic surgeon realized that the proper steel shin implants were not available. To address this, the surgeon obtained replacements that were not properly sterilized before being inserted into Mr. Gleeson's legs, causing a deep infection that needed multiple surgeries, and ending his professional soccer career. The jury rejected the defense claims that the doctor acted appropriately and that the infection was not caused by negligence, and awarded significant amounts for his pain and suffering.
In March 2025, a Georgia jury awarded $25 million to the parents of an unborn child. The mother, Shanta Hinnant, and her husband claimed that the mother's doctor discharged her improperly and did not monitor her preeclampsia appropriately. After Ms. Hinnant returned a few days later. The mother had severe complications from preeclampsia, causing her to lose her baby. The jury agreed that this tragedy was preventable and that the doctor was negligent, causing the loss of the child. The jury awarded $4 million for the economic value, $15 million for the intangible value of the baby's life, and the remainder to fees and expenses.
In March 2025, a Wisconsin jury awarded $29 million to a family whose child was born with cerebral palsy, finding that the negligence of a certified nurse midwife caused the injuries. The family claimed that the certified nurse midwife did not recognize and treat significant fetal heart rate decelerations appropriately, and delayed a call to the on-call OB/GYN, all of which caused permanent neurological injuries to the child. The family also claimed that the baby's injuries were preventable. The jury rejected the defense claims that the midwife’s actions were appropriate and did not cause the baby's injuries. The verdict will provide funds for the child, who requires lifelong medical supervision and has significant physical and cognitive limitations.
In April 2025, a jury awarded $15.5 million to the family of David Bochenek, a 74-year-old man, who was rendered quadriplegic after a physician misread a CT scan. The plaintiffs claimed that a teleradiologist, who was based in Thailand, interpreted the scan as "normal," leading hospital staff to remove Mr. Bochenek's neck brace. This caused his condition to deteriorate to the point of paralysis, and ultimately, his death. The jury was swayed by evidence that the physician spent approximately five minutes reviewing two CT scans, which were significantly shorter than appropriate, and that he misinterpreted the studies.
In April 2025, a jury awarded James Sada and his family $45 million after Mr. Sada suffered a fatal heart attack. The plaintiffs claimed that the healthcare company acted recklessly when their clinicians chose to delay transferring Mr. Sada, who was experiencing a heart attack, to a competing hospital a few miles away because, instead, they wanted to keep him within their hospital system, even though their facility did not have appropriate resources to treat him. The jury accepted the plaintiffs' claim that the hospital system prioritized internal patient retention over the patient's need for emergency medical care and awarded significant amounts for the egregious treatment decisions.
In April 2025, a jury in Georgia awarded Jessica Powell, a teacher, $70 million after she suffered bilateral above-the-knee amputations. Ms. Powell, who was 28 years old at the time of the negligent medical care, collapsed at home and was taken to a hospital for emergency care. However, the doctors administered an excessive dosage of medications and mismanaged her treatment for sepsis and shock, leading to the loss of her legs. The hospital settled before trial, but the doctors and their medical practices proceeded to trial and denied any responsibility for any errors. The jury disagreed and found them liable for the patient's significant injuries.
In May 2025, a jury awarded $60 million to David Gangaram, a 64-year-old former electrical mechanic, after he became paralyzed from the waist down following the administration of a routine epidural steroid injection. The patient underwent an injection for back discomfort at a physician's office, but when Mr. Gangaram awoke, he had suffered a spinal cord infarction. This led to his paralysis, as well as an inability to control bodily functions, and he experienced chronic pain. Mr. Gangaram claimed that the physician at the practice failed to perform the procedure appropriately and used improper medication, Kenalog. After a three-week trial, the jury made a unanimous award, which covered medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium.
These verdicts listed above demonstrate that juries are willing to award full and just compensation when someone suffers due to medical malpractice. At Morris James, our medical malpractice attorneys work hard to ensure that victims receive full and just compensation for their injuries.
Contact our experienced medical malpractice lawyers online or call 302.888.6857 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
As with most civil cases, most medical negligence cases are settled out of court confidentially, meaning that the terms and settlement amounts cannot be included here. However, the medical malpractice attorneys at Morris James can guide you on the relevant factors in your case that could affect your right to compensation.
