Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Historic Decision Holds Hospital Liable for Errors During 2019 Birth, Generates Largest Malpractice Verdict in State, Raises Financial, Legal Impacts and Debates About Prenatal Care Safety
A case recently caught attention in the U.S. In a historic decision, the Utah justice system awarded US$ 951 million to a family due to medical negligence during childbirth, resulting in permanent disabilities for Azaylee McMicheal, daughter of Anyssa Zancanella and Danniel McMicheal, in a case that could change the approach to prenatal care.
Judge Patrick Corum, in an unprecedented verdict, determined that Steward Health Care, operator of the Jordan Valley Medical Center, was responsible for the negligence during Azaylee McMicheal’s birth.
The decision, issued in August 2025, results in the largest compensation for medical malpractice ever recorded in Utah and one of the highest in childbirth injury cases across the country.
-
The noise law will no longer be in effect at 10 PM starting in June with a new rule valid during the 2026 World Cup.
-
The Chamber opens a debate on driver’s licenses at 16 years old as part of a reform that includes around 270 proposals to change the Brazilian Traffic Code and may redesign rules for licensing, enforcement, and circulation in the country.
-
The new Civil Code could revolutionize marriages in Brazil with “express divorce” and changes that could exclude spouses from inheritance.
-
Banco do Brasil sues famous influencer for million-dollar debt and intensifies debate on delinquency, risks of seizure, and direct impact on Gkay’s credibility.
The US$ 951 million verdict is surprising, especially when compared to typical settlements in similar cases.
While most medical negligence settlements in severe childbirth cases range from US$ 1 million to US$ 15 million, the amount of the Utah verdict is approximately 63 times the common maximum for such cases.
In October 2019, Anyssa Zancanella and her husband, Danniel McMicheal, were on their way to Salt Lake City when Anyssa went into labor.
What should have been a simple and routine birth turned into a medical nightmare.
According to the lawsuit filed by the family, the nurses responsible for Zancanella’s care, newly graduated and without adequate experience, administered excessive doses of Pitocin, a medication used to induce labor, while the on-call doctor was sleeping in a nearby room.
Negligence and Irreparable Harm
The failure to administer the medication and the delay in the procedure resulted in Azaylee being born with severe complications.
The child presented cranial deformities, severe swelling, and other signs of oxygen deprivation. After birth, Azaylee was airlifted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, where she received intensive care.
The description of the errors made during the process led Judge Patrick Corum to strongly criticize the care received by Zancanella.
In his words, the hospital was likened to an improvised birthing location, “the most dangerous place on the planet.”
Corum also expressed deep empathy for the family, stating that Azaylee, now 5 years old, lost the opportunity to become the person she could have been due to the brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation during birth.
Implications and Repercussions
This case carries significant implications for both the Utah healthcare system and the birthing care protocols in hospitals across the United States.
Medical negligence cases of such magnitude often result in a review of the internal policies of hospitals, reinforcement of training for medical teams, and, in some cases, changes in safety protocols.
Although the family has been awarded substantial compensation, the feasibility of receiving the full amount remains uncertain.
Steward Health Care has filed for bankruptcy, raising doubts about the company’s ability to pay the full amount of the verdict.
However, the family’s attorneys hope to secure at least the punitive damages, which represent approximately half of the total amount of the judgment.
Negligence in Childbirth: A Milestone in Legislation
The historic verdict is also seen as a landmark for legislation on medical negligence.
Similar cases may be treated more rigorously as other states evaluate the need to increase compensation for permanent injuries caused by preventable medical errors.
Lifetime Care
The effects of injuries suffered during childbirth typically require ongoing medical care throughout life, with high costs for families.
The US$ 951 million compensation aims to cover Azaylee’s care needs, including medical treatments, ongoing therapies, and assistive adaptations to improve the child’s quality of life.
Possible Appeal
Although Steward Health Care has not yet commented on a possible appeal of the decision, this case continues to generate debates about the responsibility of hospitals and physicians in adequately treating pregnant patients.
The consequences for the healthcare industry in Utah and beyond could be profound, with hospitals being pressured to review their practices and strengthen safety in childbirth care.
The historic decision in Utah brings a new chapter in the fight against medical negligence, providing an important precedent for families seeking justice for damages caused by failures in medical care.
With information from Nurse.
Seja o primeiro a reagir!