Medical malpractice suits are unfortunately a common occurrence.
Each medical malpractice incident is tragic, and the claims below show how important credentialing is for the patient, and these claim payouts also show how important proper medical malpractice insurance is for the provider.
Here is a summary look at four situations that led to the largest malpractice payouts in the last decade (2010–2020).
1. $74,500,000 Medical Malpractice Payout
In California, it was alleged that the doctor did not properly follow procedures when delivering a baby, not using forceps and improperly assessing contractions. As a result, the baby was born with cerebral palsy, but the doctor responsible denied that they acted negligently at the time and falsified medical records to cover up what had happened.
2. $58,600,000 Medical Malpractice Payout
In certain situations, one mistake can lead to a catastrophic consequence. A doctor was involved in a high-difficulty birth and during the process failed to order a cesarean section in a timely fashion. As a result, the baby suffered from severe brain damage that rendered the baby incapable of eating without a tube, walking, or talking.
3. $38,500,000 Medical Malpractice Payout
Sometimes a medical provider has a lapse in judgment when it comes to the best care of the client, and there are consequences. When Florida man Dale Whyte went to the doctor with strange cramps in his leg and shoulder, his doctor recommended a procedure that involved the manual manipulation of Whyte’s joints: a procedure that resulted in Whyte having a stroke from the anesthesia. Whyte wound up in a coma for four years as a result of the stroke from this procedure — a procedure that, the doctor later admitted, was not actually necessary. The doctor recommended Whyte undergo the joint manipulations because it would be an additional source of income.
4. $31,000,000 Medical Malpractice Payout
A case in 1998 resurfaced in 2012 when a doctor gave a Florida mother too many medications in order to induce her labor. As a result, her baby was severely deprived of oxygen during the birthing process and was consequently born with cerebral palsy. It took 14 years, but the case eventually resulted in the legislature approving that $15 million of the verdict-demanded $31 million be paid to the client (due to limits on medical malpractice awards).
When a medical provider is in the wrong for cases like the ones above, there are ways of making sure the client is properly compensated and the medical provider does not unduly suffer.
Fifth Avenue Agency takes these actions very seriously and can help you navigate through them. Fifth Avenue Agency will walk medical providers through the process of malpractice suits to ensure that these providers are able to bounce back and do right by their clients moving forward.
More information about Fifth Avenue Agency
Fifth Avenue Agency specializes in MPLI and medical malpractice insurance, serving 1000s of providers nationwide. Fifth Avenue Agency is part of the Fifth Avenue Healthcare Services family. Sister companies include 5ACVO (credentialing and primary source verification specialists) and Primoris Credentialing Network (credentialing and provider enrollment specialists with 54+ health plan and network provider enrollment options).
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