Insight

Largest Medical Malpractice Verdicts of The Past Year

Juries remain willing to recognize that patients and their families have suffered significant harm due to healthcare providers' negligence and continue to compensate them accordingly.

Joshua H Meyeroff

Written by Joshua H Meyeroff

Published: August 21, 2026

Over the past year, there have been some impressive medical malpractice verdicts throughout the country. Juries remain willing to recognize that patients and their families have suffered significant harm due to healthcare providers' negligence and continue to compensate 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, themedical 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.

$951 Million Verdict in Utah Birth Injury Lawsuit

In August 2025, a Utah judge awarded a family $951 million as compensation for medical malpractice that caused permanent and profound injuries to a newborn during labor and delivery. The family alleged that hospital staff failed to recognize signs of the baby’s distress, continued to administer dangerous levels of Pitocin, and failed to timely perform a C-section to deliver the baby. The baby sustained a serious, permanent brain injury – known as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy – and will require extensive lifelong care and support.

$307.5 Million Verdict in Michigan Correctional Healthcare Lawsuit

In April 2026, a federal jury in Michigan returned a $307.5 million verdict against a correctional healthcare company in a case involving alleged substandard medical care provided to a former inmate. The plaintiff alleged that needed medical treatment was denied for cost-related reasons, causing prolonged suffering and serious harm. The verdict later became a major factor in the company’s bankruptcy proceedings and was described in public reporting as one of the largest correctional healthcare verdicts in U.S. history.

$108.6 Million Verdict in Pennsylvania Birth Injury Lawsuit

In March 2026, a Philadelphia jury awarded $108.6 million in a birth injury case. The case concerned a 2018 delivery and allegations that the child suffered permanent brain injury associated with the use of forceps and related medical care. Large birth injury verdicts often reflect the lifetime cost of care for a child with profound neurologic injuries, including medical treatment, therapy, adaptive equipment, home modifications, and 24-hour assistance.

$50 Million Verdict in AlabamaWrongful Death Medical Malpractice Case

In March 2026, a Mobile County, Alabama jury awarded $50 million to the family of a man who died after allegedly being sent home from the hospital despite a serious blockage of his coronary arteries. The case involved allegations that providers failed to diagnose and treat a life-threatening heart condition. Failure-to-diagnose cases remain among the most common sources of large malpractice verdicts, especially where a patient presents with symptoms that should trigger urgent evaluation.

$49 Million Verdict in Connecticut Failure-To-Diagnose Cervical Cancer Lawsuit

In April 2026, a jury in Stamford, Connecticut, awarded $49 million to a woman who alleged that her gynecologist failed to diagnose and treat high-risk HPV, allowing her cervical cancer to progress to an advanced, life-threatening stage.

$48 Million Verdict in Georgia Failure-to-Diagnose Cancer Lawsuit

In December 2025, a Fulton County, Georgia jury returned a $48 million verdict in favor of a patient and his wife after finding that a dermatologist and dermatology practice failed to diagnose, manage, and treat recurrent skin cancer. The patient suffered severe disfigurement and extensive complications. Cancer delay and misdiagnosis cases frequently produce large verdicts because delayed treatment may allow disease progression, more invasive treatment, permanent injury, or death.

$35 Million Verdict in Pennsylvania Cancer Misdiagnosis / Unnecessary Hysterectomy Lawsuit

In late 2025, a Philadelphia jury awarded $35 million in a case involving an alleged false cancer diagnosis that led the plaintiff to undergo an unnecessary hysterectomy. Despite the fact that the defendants had conflicting diagnostic information regarding the patient’s diagnosis, they recommended irreversible treatment. This case illustrates the severe consequences of pathology errors, communication failures, and failure to reconcile conflicting diagnostic information before irreversible surgery.

$20.5 Million Verdict in Illinois Pediatric Medication Error Lawsuit

In June 2025, a Cook County jury awarded $20.5 million to the family of an 11-year-old girl who died from toxic levels of morphine. The child’s family alleged that the hospital discharged the child with instructions to take triple the amount of her previously prescribed dose, which caused her to die in her sleep from acute drug toxicity. Medication administration errors can be especially devastating in pediatric cases, where dosing, monitoring, and escalation protocols are critical.

$18.3 Million Verdict in Georgia Postoperative Heart Attack Lawsuit

In July 2025, a Georgia jury awarded $18.3 million against two physicians in a case involving a patient who suffered a fatal heart attack after surgery. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants failed to appropriately evaluate the patient and communicate critical test results before clearing him to undergo elective surgery.

Morris James Can Help

The verdicts discussed above demonstrate that juries are willing to award full and just compensation when patients suffer harm as a result of 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.

Trending Articles

What AI Visibility Means for Lawyers


by Josh Rupall and Bryan Driscoll

AI tools increasingly interpret lawyers public information. Clear, consistent and credible sources help ensure they describe legal expertise accurately.

AI dashboard visualizing a lawyer's online profile, reputation, and practice information across mult

Recognizing Legal Leaders: The 2027 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan and Singapore


by Jamilla Tabbara

Market drivers, diversity trends and the elite practitioners shaping the legal landscape.

Illustrated maps of Australia, Japan and Singapore displayed with their national flags, representing

Musk v. Altman: The Lawyers Behind the Case


by Jamilla Tabbara

Meet the Trial Lawyers Shaping One of AI's Biggest Legal Disputes.

Portrait photos of Elon Musk and Sam Altman positioned in front of the OpenAI logo.

Can You Go to Jail at an Arraignment?


by Bryan Driscoll

Understanding What Happens at Your First Court Appearance.

A heavy chain lying on the ground in the foreground with a blurred figure standing in the background

Announcing the 2027 Best Lawyers Awards: Austria, Germany and Switzerland


by Jamilla Tabbara

Celebrating the legal professionals throughout Central Europe.

Graphic displaying three-dimensional map cutouts of Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

The Legal Teams Behind the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Settlement


by Grace Greer

A closer look at the legal teams and attorneys involved in the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni litigation and its resolution.

Split-screen image of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni

The Best Lawyers in France 2027: Peer-Reviewed Excellence


by Jamilla Tabbara

Seventeen editions of peer trust, a growing profession and a dynamic legal market.

3D Map of France with National Flag Graphic

Colorado’s 2026 Water Rights Battles


by Bryan Driscoll

A new era of conflict begins.

Colorado Water Rights 2026: A New Era of Conflict headline

2027 Best Lawyers Awards: Honoring Excellence in the Legal Profession


by Jamilla Tabbara

Recognizing the outstanding attorneys leading top practice areas nationwide.

United States with American flag representing The Best Lawyers in America 2027 awards

What Happens if You Don't File Taxes


by Bryan Driscoll

The penalties are real, but so are your options. Here's what the IRS can do and what you can do about it.

A torn dollar bill revealing a watchful eye, surrounded by flying documents

New England's Climate Litigation Surge


by Bryan Driscoll

What law firms need to know

New England's Climate Litigation Surge: What Firms Must Know headline

What Is a Quitclaim Deed? Uses, Risks and When to Get Help


by Bryan Driscoll

A quitclaim deed can be one of the fastest ways to transfer property but knowing when it's the right tool and when it isn't, can save you from serious legal and financial headaches down the road.

One hand holding a wooden house model and another holding house keys.

An Employee's Guide to Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA)


by Bryan Driscoll

Before you sign anything, here's what you need to know about non-disclosure agreements.

Figure stands before an open giant book, holding a large key, facing a keyhole on the inner page.

How to Optimize Your Best Lawyers Profile for AI Search


by Everett Sizemore

Learn how a complete, well-structured Best Lawyers profile can strengthen your visibility and accuracy across AI search platforms.

A laptop screen displaying the Best Lawyers profile dashboard showing customizable sections.

Best Lawyers Launches ChatGPT App


by Jennifer Verta

Expanding Trusted Legal Guidance Into AI-Driven Search

A glowing digital network overlay on a person typing on a laptop, representing AI in legal search.

Turn Client Questions Into Content That AI Search Can Find


by Bryan Driscoll and Manny Candal

Client questions are becoming search inputs. Your firm’s content should answer them clearly.

Pile of question marks with a single bright yellow question mark in the center, representing search.
Smithy AI Tap to expand

Welcome to Smithy AI the Best Lawyers Assistant

I can help you find attorneys, compare firms, explore practice areas, and surface rankings curated from the Best Lawyers methodology.

Not legal advice This assistant provides general information only. For guidance on your specific situation, please consult a licensed attorney.
Learn about Best Lawyers Research Process
Suggested prompts
Chat limit reached
You've reached the message limit for this chat. To keep exploring, browse Best Lawyers directly or come back later to start a fresh conversation.
Browse Best Lawyers