St. Cloud, Minnesota – A college student from St. Cloud State University is seeking a new trial after a federal judge reduced his jury award from $110 million to $10 million in a landmark medical malpractice case. Anuj Thapa, the plaintiff, rejected the judge’s decision and will pursue another trial.
Last year, a Minneapolis federal jury awarded Thapa $111.3 million in damages, including $110 million for pain and suffering, in what was the largest award of its kind in Minnesota. However, the presiding judge, Tony Leung, deemed the amount “shockingly excessive” and ordered Thapa to accept the reduced $10 million award or face a retrial.
Thapa’s lawyer, Brandon Thompson of Ciresi Conlin LLP in Minneapolis, stated, “While we respect the court’s order, we didn’t think it properly recognizes the full scope of his injuries, and it didn’t fully embrace the importance of jury verdicts in the civil justice system.” Thompson also emphasized that accepting the $10 million award would forfeit Thapa’s right to appeal, but a new trial would allow for further legal recourse.
The case centers around an incident in 2017 when Thapa suffered a severe leg injury during a soccer match at St. Cloud State University. After undergoing surgery at St. Cloud Hospital, Thapa was discharged, but he later returned due to excruciating pain. Another doctor discovered he had developed acute compartment syndrome, a serious condition that can cause tissue damage. Thapa’s lawsuit accused caregivers at St. Cloud Orthopedics of failing to properly discharge him and diagnose and treat his condition.
Despite the judge’s ruling, the $1.25 million awarded to Thapa for economic damages remains unaffected. Meanwhile, Thapa continues to pursue his degree remotely at St. Cloud State University.
In conclusion, a college student from St. Cloud State University, Anuj Thapa, is pushing for a new trial after a federal judge reduced his jury award from $110 million to $10 million in a medical malpractice case. Thapa’s lawyer argues that the reduced award does not adequately account for the extent of his injuries and undermines the significance of jury verdicts in the civil justice system. The case revolves around negligent care following a soccer injury, and Thapa accuses caregivers affiliated with St. Cloud Orthopedics of failing to properly address his condition. The judge’s ruling, however, does not affect the economic damages awarded to Thapa.