In a recent decision, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld a $20 million jury verdict in a medical malpractice case, affirming that the existence of a high-low settlement agreement between co-defendants does not inherently establish witness bias. Justice Scott L. Kafker noted that efforts to cross-examine witness Robert Loucraft on this basis did not demonstrate…
A recent incident at the Nassau County Supreme Court has brought attention to the challenges of ensuring the accuracy of jury verdicts in civil cases. A jury had been dismissed after delivering what they understood to be a $20 million decision in a medical malpractice lawsuit. However, it was later discovered that the verdict could…
In a notable development, a judge has ordered a new trial in a $45 million medical malpractice case against Temple Hospital. The judge’s decision was influenced by significant discrepancies in the jury’s verdict. According to Judge Glynnis Hill, “The jury clearly either made a mistake in their calculations or were swayed by sympathy or some…
A Baltimore federal jury has convicted a prominent attorney known for handling medical malpractice cases, following allegations that he attempted to extort $25 million from the University of Maryland. The case centered on claims that the attorney threatened to damage the university’s reputation by publicizing the alleged transplantation of “diseased” organs into patients. The verdict…
Philadelphia’s medical malpractice attorneys are preparing for a potential increase in workload as the courts adjust to a surge in filings. Administrative Judge Daniel Anders has indicated a strategic response, highlighting the necessity to escalate the number of pretrial and trial schedules to maintain currency amidst this influx. This adjustment aims to handle the increased…
The Illinois State Appellate Court recently rejected a hospital’s attempt to relocate a medical malpractice lawsuit from Cook County to Will County. This ruling blocks the relocation efforts by the defendants, ensuring that the case will be heard in Chicago. This development highlights the challenges hospitals face in attempting to shift legal proceedings to jurisdictions…
In a recent interview, Joseph Falk, a 35-year-old partner at Foley Mansfield in Chicago, Illinois, shared his approach to achieving partnership in a highly competitive field. Specializing in medical malpractice, long-term care, and toxic tort defense, Falk emphasizes the importance of building meaningful relationships as a cornerstone of professional development. His advice to aspiring partners…
In a landmark development for medical malpractice cases in New York, a settlement was reached for over $35 million in Westchester County. This settlement, occurring on the fifth day of trial, marks the highest pre-verdict settlement in the state’s history for a medical malpractice case. This significant legal milestone was achieved under the representation of…
A recent decision by a Beaumont jury has resulted in a $59.7 million award to Ricky Do, a man left paralyzed due to alleged medical neglect. As stated in the plaintiff’s complaint, “The defendants’ gross negligence eliminated a healthy recovery for Ricky Do.” This significant verdict underscores the accountability healthcare providers face in negligence lawsuits….
Pennsylvania’s recent changes to its medical malpractice rules are shifting the landscape of venue litigation in notable ways. According to John Hare, the appellate chair for Marshall Dennehey, “The rule being rescinded has shifted venue litigation to a couple different areas and has intensified both of them.” This sentiment captures the increased complexity and strategic…
The Idaho Supreme Court is currently deliberating on the application of regional standards of care in a medical negligence lawsuit. This pivotal issue was highlighted in a recent argument by Gary L. Cooper, a partner at Cooper & Larsen, during the proceedings. Cooper emphasized the importance of ensuring that both the expert and the doctor…
The Idaho Supreme Court convened on Monday to deliberate on the potential revival of a legal malpractice case involving plaintiffs Julene and William Dodd. Central to the proceedings is the question of whether the plaintiffs’ expert witness, Dr. Fred Simon, possessed the requisite qualifications to testify on standard-of-care issues pertinent to the initial medical malpractice…
A recent appellate decision has upheld a $43.5 million medical malpractice verdict awarded to a former Philadelphia Eagles team captain. The plaintiff’s life took a significant turn due to the improper repair and rehabilitation of his knee injury, resulting in ongoing pain and disability. The jury considered the evidence thoroughly, and their substantial award reflects…
In a recent decision, the Ohio Supreme Court has reasoned that a medical malpractice lawsuit should be dismissed due to the failure to properly serve the complaint, despite the case being in litigation for over two years. The ruling was issued in the case of Ackman v. Mercy Health West Hospital. The majority found that…
Montana’s Supreme Court has clarified a crucial procedural aspect of medical malpractice lawsuits, ruling that the state’s six-month service-of-process time limit does not extend the deadline for filing new claims. This decision came from a case involving a deceased patient’s family, which attempted to file a new medical malpractice complaint more than two years after…
A rural jury in Georgia has awarded a $47 million verdict in a medical malpractice case, demonstrating the commitment of local jurors to ensure accountability and responsibility irrespective of the geographic location. Plaintiff counsel Moses Kim of The Moses Firm in Atlanta emphasized, “This verdict shows that there are courageous people all over the state…
A recent judgment from the California Supreme Court has critical repercussions for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers facing failure-to-warn claims in the state. The decision clarifies the evidence required to prove causation in such cases, following a query by the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The court determined that plaintiffs must show…
The Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that counsel initially sanctioned under Philadelphia’s medical malpractice program are now cleared. The court emphasized that sanctions must be based on specific rules or supported by contempt law, and should stem from actions in the individual case rather than a broader courtwide policy. This decision underscores the necessity of grounding…
In a strategic move set to bolster its healthcare practice, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani has announced the addition of medical malpractice lawyer Jennifer Lowis to its Sacramento office as a partner. The firm confirmed this development earlier this week. Lowis brings significant expertise to the firm, having a well-established track record in defending complex medical…
A law firm representing a medical malpractice defendant cannot obtain private health information about a plaintiff from a nonparty treating physician without the plaintiff’s consent, even if the firm represents both physicians involved, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled. The June 18 decision clarified that entering into an attorney-client relationship with a nonparty physician while already…
A Colorado neurosurgeon has brought forth allegations against an attorney and an insurer, claiming they interfered with the legal services provided to him during the defense of a medical malpractice lawsuit. According to the doctor, the underlying suit was settled without his consent, raising concerns that the interests of the insurance carrier and its insured…
With the rapidly evolving landscape of the legal profession, there’s been significant shake-ups in academia. In a recent report on Law.com, it was highlighted that two respected law professors and a reputable law dean have made significant advancements in their careers. The article, however, is restricted to subscribers of Law.com and specific details are, therefore,…
Texas is on the verge of opening a new business court, designed to streamline the management of complex commercial litigation. Although details regarding the court’s operations still remain to be fully outlined, the structure enforced by the Texas legislature along with its mandate provide insight into the purpose and potential impact of this new legal…
Last week, a Cook County jury awarded a 72-year-old lawyer, Craig Pierce, a remarkable $41 million in a case involving maladministration of medication which resulted in a cerebral artery stroke. The trial marks the largest judgment in Illinois for a medical malpractice case with a plaintiff over 70. Pierce, a criminal defense attorney, had the…
A recent decision by the Virginia Supreme Court underscores the limits of jurisdiction in medical malpractice cases, specifically those concerning digital communication between out-of-state physicians and patients. The case was filed by Katherine Louise Carter on behalf of her deceased father, against North Carolina’s Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and Wake Forest University Health…