Florida Appeals Court Overturns $1.125 Million Medical Malpractice Award, Criticizes Trial Judge’s Role as ‘Seventh Juror’

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – A Florida appeals court has overturned a $1.125 million medical malpractice damage award, criticizing a trial court judge for behaving like a “seventh juror.” The decision came on Wednesday in a case where a man accused his medical provider of negligence. In its ruling, the appeals court stated that the trial court judge had improperly evaluated the evidence and had effectively substituted their own judgment for that of the jury. The judge’s actions were described as stepping outside their role and interfering with the jury’s decision-making process. The case involved a man … Read more

Sarasota County Judge Dismisses Allegations of Juror Misconduct, Upholding $261 Million Damages Award to Kowalski Family Against All Children’s Hospital

Sarasota County, Florida – A judge in Sarasota County has dismissed allegations of juror misconduct in a civil case against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. The hospital claimed that the misconduct was grounds for a new trial after a $261 million damages award was issued. Judge Hunter Carroll made the ruling after questioning jury foreman Paul Lengyel. The hospital’s attorneys had accused Lengyel of multiple instances of misconduct, including bias against their client and conducting his own research into the case. Lengyel was part of a six-person jury that found All Children’s Hospital guilty of … Read more