Due to the complex nature of legal proceedings and ongoing appeals, definitive information about the largest medical malpractice verdicts in 2023 might not be readily available or finalized. However, based on current reports, there were several high-profile cases with significant awards:

Largest Reported Verdicts:

  • $860 million: Awarded in Texas to the family of a man who suffered brain damage due to surgical complications. (This verdict is currently under appeal)
  • $261 million: Awarded against Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland for the care of a woman featured in a Netflix documentary who suffered severe brain damage after childbirth. (This verdict is under appeal)
  • $183 million: Awarded in Pennsylvania to the family of a baby who suffered severe brain injuries due to a delayed C-section.
  • $43.5 million: Awarded to former NFL player Chris Maragos after complications following surgery.

Other Notable Verdicts:

  • $34 million: Awarded to the family of a baby in Maryland with brain damage due to an emergency C-section.
  • Over $25 million: Multiple verdicts exceeding this amount were awarded in various states.

Important Considerations:

  • These are just some of the reported verdicts, and the final amount awarded may change after appeals or settlements.
  • Medical malpractice cases are complex, and the size of the verdict doesn’t always reflect the severity of the injury or the fault of the healthcare provider.
  • It’s important to consult with a legal professional for accurate and specific information about medical malpractice cases.

Large verdict trends: 2023 saw an increase in “mega-verdicts” exceeding $25 million, with the average of the 50 largest verdicts being higher than any previous year.

  • General estimates: Some sources suggest an average medical malpractice payout in the United States of around $300,000, but this doesn’t capture the full picture due to the wide variations mentioned earlier.

Here are some key points about medical malpractice verdicts in the United States in 2023:

Frequency:

  • The overall number of lawsuits remained similar to previous years, following a dip at the start of the pandemic.
  • However, the number of cases going to trial and resulting in significant verdicts increased compared to 2022.

Verdict Amounts:

  • Mega-verdicts (awards of $10 million or more) rose. TransRe research found 57 such verdicts in 2023, with over half exceeding $25 million. This compares to 34-52 verdicts in this range from 2012-2022.

State Law Changes:

  • Several states, including California, Pennsylvania, and Iowa, enacted new medical malpractice laws in 2023.
  • California increased its non-economic damage cap from $250,000 to $350,000, with plans to gradually raise it to $750,000 over the next decade.
  • Pennsylvania expanded the geographic scope where physicians and hospitals can be sued.

If you or a loved one were injured (or worse) as a result of possible medical malpractice in the United States, you should promptly find a medical malpractice lawyer in your state who may investigate your medical malpractice claim for you and represent you or your loved one in a medical malpractice case, if appropriate.

Visit our website or call us on our toll-free number in the United States (800-295-3959) to find medical malpractice attorneys in your state who may help you.

Turn to us when you don’t know where to turn.