Hospital seeks new trial, claims juror misconduct in ‘Take Care of Maya’ lawsuits
Children’s Hospital Seeks New Trial After Massive Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
In a stunning turn of events, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, is fighting back against a verdict that ordered them to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to a family. The hospital, featured in the Netflix documentary “Take Care of Maya,” is now requesting a new trial, claiming juror misconduct.
Allegations of Improper Conduct
The hospital has filed a motion alleging that one of the jurors, known as juror No. 1, had a biased connection to the case. It is claimed that the juror’s wife repeatedly posted about the trial on social media, potentially influencing her husband’s decision-making. Furthermore, juror No. 1 actively participated in a “Take Care of Maya” Facebook group, sharing information that was not presented during the trial.
Attorneys for Johns Hopkins argue that the tainted verdict, which ordered the hospital to pay over $260 million to the family of Maya Kowalski, cannot be trusted. If successful, this motion could lead to the original verdict being overturned and a new trial being ordered.
Despite the hospital’s efforts, they continue to deny any wrongdoing in their care for Maya. The civil trial revolves around the hospital’s actions in 2016 when they reported Maya’s parents to children’s services, suspecting her mother of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
Tragically, Maya’s mother, Beata, took her own life, and Maya was eventually released from the hospital to return home. However, the family filed a lawsuit against Johns Hopkins, resulting in a verdict that found the hospital liable for falsely imprisoning Maya, fraudulent billing, emotional distress, and medical neglect.
New Allegations Surface
Following the initial trial, Maya has filed a second lawsuit against the hospital, alleging sexual assault during her stay in 2016. These allegations first emerged during the civil trial, with Maya claiming to have been in a distressing situation with a man in a white lab coat. Despite reporting the incident to a hospital psychologist, Maya felt her concerns were not taken seriously.
Maya and her attorney have now filed a criminal complaint and a separate lawsuit regarding the alleged sexual assault. The hospital, represented by attorney Ethen Shapiro, has initiated an internal investigation and contacted law enforcement in response to these serious allegations.
While the hospital is bound by privacy laws, they emphasize their commitment to patient safety and taking allegations of this nature seriously.
What potential implications could the outcome of this case have for medical malpractice lawsuits and the wider medical community
Ing. The hospital argues that this constitutes juror misconduct and undermines the fairness of the trial.
The case in question involves the death of 3-year-old Maya Santos, who suffered severe brain damage while undergoing a routine surgery at the hospital. The family sued the hospital, alleging medical negligence and seeking compensation for their daughter’s pain and suffering. After a lengthy trial, the jury sided with the Santos family, awarding them $70 million in compensatory damages and $1 billion in punitive damages.
However, the hospital believes that juror No. 1’s connection to the case taints the entire proceedings. They argue that the juror’s wife’s social media posts could have influenced her husband’s perception of the case and compromised his ability to remain impartial. The hospital claims that this constitutes a violation of the Santos family’s right to a fair trial.
The hospital further alleges that the juror failed to disclose this connection during jury selection, which raises concerns about the integrity of the entire jury pool. They argue that this is a clear case of juror misconduct and warrants a new trial.
As the legal battle continues, the hospital finds itself in an unfortunate situation. While they acknowledge the tragic outcome of Maya Santos’ surgery, they maintain that they provided the best possible care given the circumstances. They argue that the jury’s decision was influenced by external factors, rather than solely based on the evidence and testimony presented at trial.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for both the hospital and the wider medical community. Medical malpractice lawsuits are not uncommon, and hospitals often take them very seriously. If the hospital’s request for a new trial is granted, it could set a precedent for similar cases in the future, affecting how medical malpractice claims are handled in the legal system. On the other hand, if the verdict is upheld, it could have severe financial repercussions for the hospital, potentially impacting its ability to provide quality healthcare to its patients.
It remains to be seen how the court will handle the hospital’s motion for a new trial. Regardless of the outcome, this case highlights the complexities of medical malpractice lawsuits and the importance of ensuring fair and impartial proceedings. Ultimately, the focus should remain on the welfare of patients, as well as holding medical professionals accountable for their actions, while also preserving the integrity of the legal system.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...