The legal landscape in the Northwest continues to be shaped by multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, often referred to as “nuclear verdicts.” A recent case from Washington state exemplifies this ongoing trend – a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in medical malpractice litigation.
In Milana Richardson et. al. v. State of Washington et. al., a King County Superior Court approved a $11,025,000 settlement in a complex case involving a rear-end collision and subsequent medical malpractice. The plaintiffs, Milana Richardson, and her family, brought claims against All Day Towing, LLC, and a local hospital following a series of unfortunate events that began with a car accident and culminated in severe, life-altering injuries.
CASE OVERVIEW
Initially, Ms. Richardson suffered what appeared to be minor injuries in a rear-end collision with a tow truck in October 2018. Months later, she experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage and underwent treatment, but then suffered complications due to alleged medical negligence. The plaintiffs argued that the hospital failed to monitor and treat vasospasm properly, a known complication following brain hemorrhages, resulting in multiple strokes and permanent brain damage.
THE SETTLEMENT BREAKDOWN HIGHLIGHTS THE SCALE OF THIS NUCLEAR VERDICT
- $10,000,000 from the defendant hospital
- $1,000,000 from All Day Towing’s insurance policy
- $25,000 in underinsured motorist benefits
INSIGHTS FOR GF CLIENTS
While each case is unique, the trend of nuclear verdicts shows no signs of abating. It remains to be seen how this will shape the future of healthcare delivery and medical malpractice litigation in the region.
Please contact a Gjording Fouser lawyer at 208.336.9777 if you would like any additional information about this topic or any other issues facing your company.