RECORD VERDICT AGAINST BANNER HEALTH FOR MALPRACTICE
On Friday, November 17, 2023, a Maricopa County jury returned a unanimous verdict against Banner Health in the record amount of $31,550,825 in a case of medical malpractice for a severely brain-damaged child. 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. At the time of the trial Greyson was 9 years old and living with his mom in Chandler, Arizona.
This is the largest personal injury award in Arizona history.
Before and during trial, 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 had ever seen a case where the fetal heart monitor records went “missing”.
Practice area(s): Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury
Court: Maricopa County
