Largest Malpractice Settlements, $261M Maya Case, $216M Stroke Misdiagnosis, $120M Birth Injury—Real Amounts Revealed
The largest medical malpractice verdict in U.S. history is the $261 million “Take Care of Maya” case against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in 2023. Other record-breaking awards include $216.7 million for misdiagnosed stroke symptoms (Florida), $120 million for delayed C-section causing cerebral palsy (Michigan, 2024), and $121 million for failure to diagnose Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (New York). Birth injuries, brain damage, and misdiagnosis cases command the highest settlements due to lifetime care costs.
Why This Matters to You
You’re wondering if your medical malpractice case could be worth millions—or if the doctor who harmed you will face serious financial consequences. You need concrete numbers, not vague ranges.
Here’s the truth: The largest malpractice settlements reach hundreds of millions of dollars. But these are exceptional cases involving catastrophic, permanent injuries to young patients requiring lifetime care. The average settlement is significantly lower.
Most sites give you ranges like “$100,000 to $500,000” without showing you actual cases or explaining what drives certain settlements into the tens or hundreds of millions. That leaves you wondering where your case fits.
This article breaks down the biggest documented settlements, shows you what injuries commanded those amounts, and explains the factors that push settlements to record-breaking levels—so you can realistically evaluate your potential claim.
What You Came to Know
The Largest Documented Malpractice Verdicts
$261 Million – “Take Care of Maya” Case (2023, Florida).
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital was found liable for mistreatment and mismanagement of a young patient. This remains the largest medical malpractice verdict in U.S. history. The case involved allegations the hospital falsely accused the family of medical child abuse and separated the child from her mother, who later died by suicide.
$216.7 Million – Allan Navarro Stroke Misdiagnosis (2000, Florida).
Doctors misdiagnosed stroke symptoms as sinusitis and sent Navarro home with painkillers despite his family history of strokes. He returned the next day requiring emergency brain surgery and spent three months in a coma. The damage left him wheelchair-bound with limited cognitive abilities and at risk of suffocating when eating. The jury awarded $116.6 million in compensatory damages plus $100.1 million in punitive damages.
$120 Million – Delayed C-Section Birth Injury (March 2024, Michigan).
A Michigan jury awarded Kirsten Drake and her son $120 million after Henry Ford Health System delayed a C-section for two hours despite “non-reassuring heart tones” indicating fetal distress. The delay caused severe asphyxiation, cerebral palsy, and permanent brain damage. The settlement covers projected medical expenses and lost wages through 2065.
$120 Million – William Lee Stroke Misdiagnosis (November 2023, New York).
Westchester Medical Center failed to properly diagnose and treat a stroke after staff without adequate radiology experience misread a CT scan. Lee suffered massive brain damage, severely impaired judgment and short-term memory, and now requires lifelong around-the-clock care in a residential brain center. This is the largest medical malpractice verdict in Westchester County history.
$121 Million – Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (New York).
A New York jury awarded $121 million to a woman whose hospital failed to timely diagnose and treat Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a life-threatening skin condition. This ranks as the third-largest medical malpractice verdict in New York State history.
Settlement Ranges by Type of Injury
Birth injuries consistently command the highest settlements due to lifetime care costs. Cerebral palsy, brain damage from oxygen deprivation, and Erb’s palsy cases routinely settle for $5 million to $120 million+ when negligence is clear. The child’s entire lifetime of medical care, therapy, lost earning capacity, and specialized equipment drives these massive awards.
Brain injuries from surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, or misdiagnosed strokes typically range from $10 million to $100 million+ for young patients requiring permanent care. The recent detransition lawsuit update 2026 shows evolving standards, with a $2 million verdict on January 30, 2026 for inadequate evaluation before irreversible surgery.
Cancer misdiagnosis cases where delayed diagnosis allows progression to late-stage disease typically settle for $1 million to $25 million depending on the patient’s age, prognosis, and suffering. A 2025 Massachusetts case awarded $17 million after a 57-year-old woman died from an undiagnosed bowel perforation following elective hernia surgery.
Surgical errors leaving foreign objects inside patients range from $5 million to $20 million. A January 2025 New Mexico verdict awarded Michelle Torma $16.75 million after physicians left a 13-inch metal retractor in her abdomen.
Anesthesia errors causing brain damage or death typically range from $5 million to $50 million. A February 2025 case awarded $13.75 million after an anesthesiologist’s assistant administered excessive anesthesia causing fatal brain injury.
Factors Driving Settlements to Millions
Permanence and severity of injury. Temporary harm settles for thousands to low six figures. Permanent disability requiring lifetime care pushes settlements into tens or hundreds of millions. The $120 million Michigan birth injury case covers care costs through 2065—41 years of medical expenses, therapies, and lost wages.
Age of the patient. Younger patients with 50-70 years of life expectancy ahead receive dramatically higher awards than elderly patients. A 20-year-old with brain damage requiring lifetime care could receive $50+ million. An 80-year-old with the same injury might receive $5 million because lifetime care costs are lower.
Lost earning capacity. High-income professionals like surgeons, lawyers, or executives who lose the ability to work receive larger awards than patients with lower earning potential. A commercial real estate broker like William Lee in the $120 million New York case had substantial lost earnings factored into the verdict.
Clear liability and gross negligence. Cases with obvious, egregious errors—operating on the wrong patient, leaving surgical instruments inside bodies, ignoring clear stroke symptoms—settle for more because defendants know juries will punish obvious negligence. The Florida stroke misdiagnosis included $100 million in punitive damages punishing the hospital’s conduct.
Jurisdiction matters significantly. States without damage caps like Arizona, New York, and Florida see higher verdicts. California caps non-economic damages at $250,000 for non-death medical malpractice cases (though this cap is gradually increasing under recent legislation), dramatically reducing potential awards. The Virginia case where Christopher Denton received a $25 million jury verdict was reduced to just $2 million due to Virginia’s statutory cap.
Quality of evidence and expert testimony. Strong medical records, expert witnesses from prestigious institutions, and clear documentation of the standard of care violations drive higher settlements. Weak or disputed evidence results in lower offers or defense verdicts.
Verdicts vs. Settlements: What You Need to Know
Most sites won’t tell you this, but the “largest settlements” are often unknown because settlements are confidential. The $261 million Maya case and $216 million Navarro case are jury verdicts—public court decisions after trial.
Many malpractice cases settle for undisclosed amounts before trial. A hospital might pay $50 million or $100 million to avoid a trial, but the terms remain confidential. Public verdicts represent a fraction of total malpractice payouts.
Jury verdicts can be reduced on appeal or by judges applying statutory damage caps. The $229 million Maryland verdict (later overturned) was initially reduced to $205 million to comply with state caps before being thrown out entirely on appeal.
Settlements provide certainty—both sides know the outcome. Verdicts risk appeal and reduction but can exceed settlement offers when juries are outraged by egregious conduct.
How Settlement Amounts Are Calculated
Economic damages include past and future medical bills (surgeries, medications, hospitalizations, therapy, medical equipment), lost wages from inability to work, future lost earning capacity over the patient’s lifetime, and costs of home modifications or assisted living facilities.
For catastrophic injuries, lifetime care costs dwarf other damages. A child with cerebral palsy might need $5-10 million in medical care, therapy, and assistance over 60-70 years.
Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability, and loss of companionship. These are subjective but can equal or exceed economic damages in severe cases.
Punitive damages punish particularly reckless or intentional misconduct. The $100 million in punitive damages in the Navarro stroke case punished the hospital for ignoring obvious symptoms despite the patient’s family history.
What You Must Know
These Are Exceptional Cases, Not Typical Outcomes
The cases listed above represent the absolute highest end of malpractice verdicts—less than 1% of all cases. Most malpractice claims settle for $100,000 to $1 million depending on injury severity.
The average medical malpractice payout nationwide is approximately $350,000 to $450,000 according to the National Practitioner Data Bank. Birth injuries and brain damage cases average significantly higher at $1 million to $5 million.
Don’t expect your case to reach these levels unless you have catastrophic, permanent injuries, clear liability, strong evidence, and you’re in a favorable jurisdiction. Realistic expectations matter.
Damage Caps Dramatically Reduce Verdicts in Many States
Over half of U.S. states cap non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. California’s $250,000 cap (gradually increasing) means even the worst surgical errors cannot exceed that amount for pain and suffering.
Texas caps non-economic damages at $250,000 per provider and $250,000 per hospital—maximum $500,000 total regardless of injury severity. The $43.32 million Texas verdict against East Texas Medical Center in 2018 included $25 million in punitive damages, which are separately capped.
States without caps—New York, Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania—see the highest verdicts because juries can award whatever they believe is appropriate for the suffering endured.
Check your state’s damage cap laws before pursuing a claim. Your attorney should explain how caps affect your potential recovery.
What to Do Next
Consult a Medical Malpractice Attorney for Case Valuation
Don’t try to value your own case based on these examples. Each case is unique. Consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney for a free case evaluation.
Bring all medical records, billing statements, and documentation of your injuries. Attorneys evaluate economic damages, non-economic damages, liability strength, and jurisdiction to estimate value.
Most malpractice attorneys work on contingency (33-40% of recovery) and offer free consultations. Contact your state bar association for referrals to experienced malpractice lawyers.
Understand Your State’s Damage Caps and Statutes
Research your state’s medical malpractice laws including damage caps on non-economic damages, statutes of limitations (typically 1-3 years from injury discovery), and procedural requirements like expert affidavits or pre-suit notice.
Visit your state’s court website or contact your state bar association for information. Some states require medical malpractice cases to go through pre-litigation screening panels before filing suit.
Gather Evidence and Act Quickly
Preserve all medical records, billing statements, correspondence with providers, and documentation of ongoing harm. Medical records are critical evidence proving the standard of care was breached.
Don’t delay. Statutes of limitations bar claims filed too late, and evidence disappears over time. Consult an attorney immediately if you suspect malpractice.
FAQs
What is the largest medical malpractice settlement ever?
The largest publicly known verdict is $261 million in the “Take Care of Maya” case against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (2023). Other record verdicts include $216.7 million (stroke misdiagnosis, Florida), $120 million (birth injury, Michigan 2024), and $121 million (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, New York). Many large settlements remain confidential.
How much do most malpractice cases settle for?
Most cases settle for $100,000 to $1 million. The national average is approximately $350,000-$450,000. Birth injuries and brain damage cases average $1-5 million. Cases under $50,000 are often not economically viable to pursue given litigation costs.
What types of injuries get the highest settlements?
Birth injuries causing cerebral palsy or brain damage command the highest settlements ($5-120 million) due to lifetime care costs. Brain injuries from surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, or misdiagnosis rank second ($10-100 million). Cancer misdiagnosis and surgical errors follow ($1-25 million).
Do damage caps reduce settlement amounts?
Yes, significantly. Over half of U.S. states cap non-economic damages at $250,000-$750,000 regardless of injury severity. A $25 million jury verdict in Virginia was reduced to $2 million due to caps. States without caps (New York, Arizona, Florida) see the highest awards.
Are settlements public or confidential?
Jury verdicts are public record and must be reported. Settlements are often confidential with terms undisclosed. The largest settlements may never be publicly known. Only verdicts and settlements reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank provide comprehensive data.
How long does it take to receive a malpractice settlement?
Most cases take 2-4 years from filing to resolution. Complex cases requiring extensive expert testimony can take 5+ years. Settlements typically pay within 30-60 days after agreement. Verdicts may take longer if appeals are filed.
Can I sue for malpractice if the outcome was just bad?
No. Bad outcomes alone don’t prove malpractice. You must prove the provider breached the standard of care through negligence—not just that treatment was unsuccessful. Expert testimony is required to establish the standard and prove breach.
Disclaimer: This article provides informational content about medical malpractice settlement amounts and does not constitute legal advice. Medical malpractice settlement values vary significantly based on injury severity, state law, damage caps, liability clarity, and individual circumstances. Settlement amounts discussed represent jury verdicts or publicly reported settlements and do not guarantee similar outcomes in other cases. Malpractice laws and damage caps vary by state and can change. AllAboutLawyer.com does not provide legal services or guarantee settlement amounts. Consult a qualified medical malpractice attorney in your jurisdiction to evaluate your specific claim’s potential value.
Need Help? Contact your state bar association for referrals to experienced medical malpractice attorneys who can provide free case evaluations and realistic settlement estimates based on your specific circumstances.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
Last Updated: February 13, 2026 — We keep this current with the latest legal developments
Disclaimer: This article provides general settlement information only. Settlement amounts vary widely based on individual circumstances. Consult an attorney for your specific situation.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a former civil litigation attorney with over a decade of experience in contract disputes, small claims, and neighbor conflicts. At All About Lawyer, she writes clear, practical guides to help people understand their civil legal rights and confidently handle everyday legal issues.
Read more about Sarah