The Iowa Supreme Court reverses a $97 million verdict for medical misconduct

Iowa City, Iowa – On Friday, the Iowa Supreme Court reversed a 2022 medical malpractice verdict that had the highest payout in the state’s history.

Following their baby’s birth injury, the Kromphardt family filed a medical malpractice case against Mercy Iowa City, Dr. Jill Goodman, and OB-GYN Associates.

According to the family’s lawsuit, the baby suffered brain damage as a result of the doctor’s carelessness when delivering the baby with forceps and vacuum delivery equipment.

According to the lawsuit, the baby was diagnosed with ischemic brain injury, seizures, facial nerve palsy, and a fractured skull with subdural bleeding, all of which were brought on by the head injury.

In March 2022, a jury awarded the family $97.4 million after finding them not guilty.

According to the Des Moines Register, Mercy reached a settlement for its part of the case, but the clinic and its insurance company filed an appeal, arguing that the court had made multiple mistakes.

The clinic claims that by allowing hearsay evidence—more especially, a package insert from the suction system’s maker cautioning against using it following a failed forceps attempt—the court erred.

The clinic contended that since the other side would not be able to cross-examine the statement’s source, the insert could not be used as evidence.

The clinic further contended that the court ought to have ordered a new trial since the verdict was disproportionate. A new trial is scheduled as a result of Friday’s ruling.