$217M for Misdiagnosis

In what’s being called one of the biggest verdicts in Florida history, a jury awarded $217 million ($100 of it punitive damages) for the failure to diagnose a stroke.  The plaintiff ended up in a wheelchair with an ongoing danger of choking when swallowing.

The family says that any punitive damages they collect will be donated to medical research organizations.

The evidence indicated that the person who first evaluated the plaintiff at the emergency room when he presented with symptoms consistent with a stroke and a (reported) family history of stroke was an unlicensed physician’s assistant.

Greedy Trial Lawyer disputes the notion of calling this a “jackpot” award and provides some additional facts, both about the incident and the litigation (including the carrier’s offer to settle the case for a total of $300 [not $300K, but $300]).