A Rockland County, N.Y., patient and her husband were awarded $55.9 million in August after she was left paralyzed in her arms and legs following spine surgery in 2009, USA Today reports.
Six things to know:
1. The patient's attorney alleged that surgeons, who diagnosed the woman with spinal stenosis, failed to report damage to the spinal cord that occurred during the laminectomy.
2. The woman's blood pressure dropped in recovery, leading to a loss of sensation and movement in her limbs, however records indicated that hospital staff failed to order a CAT scan until three hours later.
3. The payout, which included $10 million to her husband for lost services, is the largest in Rockland County.
4. The woman was awarded $20 million for pain and suffering with added payouts for lost earnings, medical and nursing care, domestic modifications and other costs.
5. New York state law dictates that the $55.9 million be decreased by 50 percent, representing the fault of the parties that settled before the verdict, leaving the surgeons liable for almost $28 million.
6. New York is the most expensive state for medical malpractice insurance, where claims paid out $685.3 million in 2018, according to LeverageRx's 2019 Medical Malpractice Payout Report.