Marsh | Rickard | Bryan

$30

Medical Malpractice

A Tuscaloosa County jury awarded $30 million to the family of Johnny Terrell Sledge, who died at DCH Regional Medical Center. He was injured by a gunshot wound and needed surgery, but the 'on call' trauma surgeon, Dr. Bilton, failed to show up, prioritizing an elective surgery. Hospital policies allowed this, and the patient died waiting for care.

$30

Personal Injury

A Jefferson County jury awarded over $30 million to a young boy, Christian Dailey, who suffered a permanent and catastrophic brain injury at a daycare. A television fell on his head while he was sleeping, and there was no daycare worker in the room. The daycare operated without typical licensing and safeguards due to a religious exception.

$29

Truck Accident

A Shelby County jury awarded $29 million for a Columbiana woman who lost her husband, Timothy Robbins Sr., in a truck wreck on Alabama Highway 70 on June 14, 2002. Robbins' pickup truck was struck head-on by a dump truck driven by Danny Hendrix, owned by Hardway Hauling and Contracting, Inc. The wreck was caused by driver inattention, speed, out-of-repair brakes, and driving under the influence of methamphetamine. The company failed to test Hendrix for drugs and had no maintenance records. Robbins' teen son survived.

$20

Medical Malpractice

A Gadsden state court jury awarded $20 million to the daughter of Doris Green, 79, who died from a drug overdose administered while in the care of a rehabilitation hospital. She received a toxic and lethal dose of opiates without prescription, leading to respiratory depression and death.

$16

Medical Malpractice

A Jefferson County state court jury awarded a Birmingham couple $16 million in damages after finding that Brookwood Medical Center violated the standard of care for labor and delivery and participated in reckless fraud. The mother, Caroline Malatesta, suffered painful and debilitating physical injuries during a 'natural childbirth' experience where she was restrained and offered no choice.

$15

Medical Malpractice

A Limestone County jury returned a verdict in favor of Gloria Owen, widow of Robert Owen, against Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc. (HEMSI) and two employees. Robert Owen died after negligent ambulance transport where an impaired driver passed out, and staff failed to provide necessary care. HEMSI was found to have rehired the driver after a similar incident and covered up evidence.