MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — A Maricopa County jury returned a unanimous verdict Friday against Banner Health in state record amount of $31,550,825 in a medical malpractice for a severely brain-damaged child.
It is the largest medical malpractice award in Arizona history.
The jury found Banner, its employees, and Dr. Laurie P. Erickson negligent in the labor and delivery of Krystle Griepentrog, causing her son Greyson to suffer oxygen deprivation during birth, resulting in cerebral palsy.
Greyson is now 9 years old and living with his mom in Chandler, Arizona.
Banner denied responsibility and refused to make any offer to settle the case.
The jury found Banner Health 57% responsible and Dr. Erikson 43% responsible.
During the litigation and trial, Banner Health claimed critical fetal heart monitoring medical records were “accidentally lost,” arguing to the jury that without the records, the plaintiff could not prove their case.
The undisputed evidence at trial was that no doctor or expert in their entire careers has ever seen a case where the fetal heart monitor records went “missing.”
12News reached out to Banner Health which sent the following statement:
We respectfully disagree with the verdict. We are reviewing our options at this time, including the potential filing of post-trial motions and an appeal.
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