03.09.2025 20:20
In an incident that occurred in the United States, a family in Utah won approximately 1 billion dollars in compensation after their daughter was left permanently disabled due to a medical error during childbirth.
A family in Utah, United States, won nearly 1 billion dollars in compensation after their daughter was left permanently disabled due to a botched birth at a hospital.
Serious negligence occurred during the birth at Jordan Valley Medical Center West Valley Campus. The judge stated that giving birth there "would have been safer than doing it in a gas station restroom."
Anyssa Zancanella from Wyoming had a healthy first pregnancy. However, her second pregnancy in October 2019 ended in disaster. When it was time to give birth, Zancanella was away from her doctor and rushed to West Valley Hospital with her husband, Daniel McMichael. At that time, the hospital was operated by Steward Health Care.
According to the lawsuit, nurses administered excessive amounts of labor-inducing medication (Pitocin) to Zancanella and ignored dangerous symptoms. The filing stated, "For these nurses, delivering a baby was either their first experience or they had very little experience."
Doctors delayed the cesarean intervention by a day. During this time, baby Azaylee was deprived of oxygen and suffered brain damage. The lawsuit noted: "The obstetrician left the mother and fetus alone despite being aware of the serious risks during the delivery process."
Now 4 years old, Azaylee cannot speak, has seizures, and requires 24/7 care. She sleeps in the same bed as her parents to be able to rest and is constantly receiving physical and occupational therapies.
Anyssa Zancanella said in court:
"Azaylee's life was stolen. All of our lives were stolen. Our daughter was taken from us. She is inside but cannot come out, and I think about this every day."
Judge's Harsh Criticism
Third District Judge Patrick Corum harshly criticized the hospital in his ruling:
"Zancanella would have been safer giving birth to this baby in a gas station restroom or in a hut in Africa. This was the most dangerous place in the world for her to give birth. She is not the person she was meant to be; she is trapped inside a child with brain damage. There can be no greater loss."
The judge ruled that the family should be awarded 951 million dollars in compensation. Corum stated that the amount could have been even higher if the hospital had participated in the lawsuit process.
However, it is uncertain whether this massive compensation will be paid. Steward filed for bankruptcy in 2024, sold all its hospitals, withdrew from the lawsuit, and its lawyers resigned. Corum said, "The defendants' strategy seems to be nothing more than an attempt to obstruct justice."
The family's attorney, Jennifer Morales, stated that they expect at least half of the compensation to be paid as punitive damages.