Parner
What is my medical malpractice case worth?
Medical malpractice is believed to be the third leading cause of death nationwide, according to a recent study published in the BMJ, claiming the lives of over 250,000 patients annually. Medical malpractice cases vary widely in value, with some plaintiffs collecting several million dollars for their losses stemming from the physician’s negligence, while other plaintiffs receive modest settlements that cover just some outstanding medical bills. Our New York medical malpractice lawyers provide a look at some of the largest medical malpractice settlements in recent history.
Dr. Mark Holterman
A six-year-old boy was left with brain damage and cerebral palsy after undergoing 25 surgeries. Dr. Mark Holterman of Chicago used some unproven techniques to perform the surgeries on the child, who was born with non-life threatening health problems. The child’s family filed suit against Holterman and receive a settlement in the amount of $30 million.
John Hopkins Hospital
John Hopkins was required to pay a settlement of $190 million to 8,000 plaintiffs after it was discovered that a hospital gynecologist who had worked there for decades was secretly using surveillance equipment to photograph patients. This twisted medical malpractice case left patients with ongoing emotional trauma.
The University of Chicago
A 12-year-old boy and his family filed suit against the University of Chicago after the child suffered a brain injury at birth. The boy was left with cerebral palsy and is unable to feed or care for himself. A jury awarded the family $53 million.
The City of New York
An EMS transport gone wrong resulted in the City of New York paying out $172 million. The incident occurred when the mother of 29-year-old Tiffany Applewhite called 911 after she went into anaphylactic shock. The EMS ambulance that responded did not have the necessary life support equipment. As a result, Ms. Applewhite was left with severe brain damage and paralysis.
Each medical malpractice case is unique and the worth of your case will depend on the specific facts surrounding the incident. The value of your case will be largely driven by the extent of your losses, including your past and future medical bills, past and future pain and suffering, and your past and future lost wages. Consult with a medical malpractice attorney for assistance with valuing your case.