Patients have a right to ethical, honorable and proficient medical care under their physicians. Far too often, this is not the case in hospitals across America. Each year, an estimated 210,000 to 440,000 hospital patients suffer a form of negligence or malpractice that contributes to their passing. This makes medical malpractice the third leading cause of death in the entire country.
Medical malpractice happens when a healthcare professional’s negligent actions directly cause harm or injury to a patient. These types of cases can be highly damaging to the patient and can result in life-changing injuries or death. Even seemingly minor injury cases may require a medical malpractice lawsuits to compensate the patient for their losses.
Below are the top ten medical malpractice lawsuits of all time. These shocking cases resulted in significant monetary recovery for victims who suffered unduly.
10. $11 Million | Foreign Objects in Man’s Stomach
An Arizona man was on life support in an assisted living facility when employees decided to tamper with the dying man’s body. After his death, all types of foreign objects were discovered in his stomach, including plastic bags, ketchup packets and candy wrappers.
9. $11.4 Million | Cerebral Palsy Caused by Birth Injury
In 2005, a Wisconsin woman was giving birth when a midwife and nurse failed to respond to the infant’s distress after misreading the monitor. As a result, the child suffered a birth injury leading to cerebral palsy. Both the midwife and nurse were found to be negligent by the court.
8. $15 Million | Breast Cancer
A New York woman discovered a lump in her chest; however, upon examination, her doctor said the lump was benign. When over a year later the woman’s lump had doubled in size, it was discovered as cancerous. Her condition required a mastectomy, radiation treatments and chemotherapy.
7. $20.5 Million | Birth Injury
A woman from Pennsylvania sued her doctor and medical center after her child suffered birth injuries. Her son now lives with cerebral palsy, is nearly blind in one eye, and cannot use his hands. The child’s parents received $2 million and their son received $18.5 million when he turned 18.
6. $23.2 Million | Oxygen Deprivation During Birth
An infant in Minnesota suffered hypoxia during childbirth and now suffers from neurological problems, seizures and quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Hypoxia is a condition where the cells and tissues do not receive enough oxygen. The court awarded $23.2 million in damages for the losses caused by negligence.
5. $25 Million | Misdiagnosed Heart Condition
When a cardiologist gave a positive report to a Virginia man after a checkup, the doctor took him off his heart medications and told him over-the-counter drugs would be fine to treat his condition. Months later, the man suffered a debilitating heart attack. He has since undergone seven surgeries and requires a heart transplant within the next five years.
4. $31 Million | Oxygen Starvation
In 1998, a Florida mother received too much medication during her induced labor. The drugs compromised her child’s oxygen supply, leading to cerebral palsy. The case was settled nearly 14 years later. Due to a cap on medical malpractice awards, the woman received only $15 million of the $31 million settlement. Several states have similar limits on awards for medical malpractice lawsuits, such as California’s MICRA cap.
3. $38.5 Million | Ethics Violation Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
In 2008, a man in Florida began experiencing unusual cramps in his leg and shoulder. The doctor suggested manual joint manipulations, which would require anesthesia. The patient suffered a stroke during the procedure and stayed in a coma for four years. The doctor eventually admitted that the procedure was unnecessary and that he was only looking to boost his income.
2. $58.6 Million | Infant Brain Damage
During a difficult birth, a doctor failed to order a C-section delivery. As a result, the newborn suffered severe brain damage. The child now lives in Connecticut and is unable to talk, walk or eat. Medical malpractice settlements can cover losses associated with long-term conditions, as this one did.
1. $74.5 Million | Negligence & Falsified Medical Records
In California, doctors failed to properly deliver a baby. The doctor in charge chose not to perform an episiotomy, did not use forceps during the delivery and failed to assess contractions. As a result, the infant now suffers from cerebral palsy. The hospital refused to accept fault for negligence and even falsified medical records in an attempt to cover up their wrongdoings.
Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyers
At Hodes Milman Ikuta, we have spent more than 30 years helping to create better futures for victims who have suffered by the carelessness of others. We fight for justice and relief while achieving real results for our clients.
While there is no way to guarantee a specific outcome for each individual case, what we can guarantee is doing all in our power to get you the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to medical malpractice, you could qualify for compensation to help offset:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost past and future income
Medical malpractice can have devastating effects on a family. If you or your loved ones are looking for legal assistance, please call us at (949) 640-8222 for a free consultation. We will help you get your life back on track.
