Connecticut Malpractice Verdicts Reach Record Highs April 14, 2008 Denise Funk, CMIC CEO Multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements continue to occur at an alarming rate in Connecticut. On February 8, 2008, a Stamford jury awarded $38.5 million in what is reported to be the largest medical malpractice verdict in the state. Following the seven-week trial, the jury found the obstetrician liable for failure to timely deliver an oxygen-deprived infant by Cesarean section. The rise in medical malpractice verdicts is not limited to certain medical specialties, patient age or jurisdiction. Every doctor in every medical specialty is susceptible to becoming the next defendant in a multi-million dollar lawsuit. A review of verdicts and multi-million dollar settlements over the past three years underscores this troubling trend.
Because Connecticut has failed to enact any meaningful Tort Reform, physicians and other health care professionals face the financial impact of runaway jury verdicts and ever higher settlements.
Multi-Million Dollar Verdicts - Case alleging failure to monitor fetal distress resulting in birth injuries. Jury awarded $36.5 million.
- Alleged misdiagnosis of a fibroid tumor that led to a hysterectomy. Jury awarded $11 million (which included $5.8 million in interest)
- Allegation of failure to diagnose myocardial ischemia in a 49 year old male. Jury awarded $22.5 million.
- Alleged failure to diagnose a cancerous tumor in a 68 year old male. Jury awarded $6 million.
Multi-Million Dollar Settlements - Alleged failure to monitor blood oxygen levels leading to death during a cesarean section. Case settled for $16.7 million.
- Alleged failure to test and diagnose CPM, a neurological disorder, in a 51 year old woman. Case settled for $7.5 million.
- Allegation that administration of epidural anesthesia injured a 32 year old mother of two. Case settled for $7.0 million.
- Allegation that an infected PEG tube site injured a 52 year old male leading to a coma. Case settled for $6 million.
- Allegation that failure to monitor a patient after laparoscopic surgical led to blood loss and death. Case settled for $5 million.
- Allegation that failure to monitor a 43 year old undergoing a tubal ligation led to death. Case settled for $4.850 million.
This disconcerting trend emphasizes the need for doctors to be insured by a financially strong insurer who aggressively works for the interest of doctors in the General Assembly. In addition, health care professionals must take advantage of added benefits insurance providers offer such as loss prevention initiatives and education. For information on how CMIC can assist you and/or your practice in employing the utmost in risk mitigation measures, contact Nancy Moody, CMIC loss prevention specialist, at 860-633-7788 ext. 283.
About CMIC
CMIC, established as a mutual company in 1984, is a leading doctor-owned provider of professional liability insurance and services to doctors and healthcare professionals in Connecticut and Massachusetts. CMIC currently writes over 2,400 policies for physicians, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors and other healthcare providers. CMIC is headquartered in Glastonbury, CT and serves Connecticut and Massachusetts exclusively. For more information visit CMIC’s website at www.cmic.biz.
Media Contact: Wendy Barclay
Communications Specialist
80 Glastonbury Boulevard
PO Box 71
Glastonbury, CT 06033
T: 860.633.7788 ext. 288
F: 860.633.8237
E-mail: wsb@cmic.biz
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