I was able to obtain more information on the recent $4.6 million jury verdict in Hinds County Circuit Court. It is my understanding that the defendant was Baptist Hospital and one or more physicians, but that the verdict was only against the hospital. It was a wrongful death case where the plaintiff’s records disclosed that she was allergic to latex, but the hospital used latex gloves in her surgery, causing her to die. The decedent was a young attorney employed by the Department of Human Services and the case was a pre-tort reform cap case. Since the decedent was and attorney, the plaintiff would have been able to prove substantial economic damages.

The Plaintiffs did not ask that the case proceed to a punitive damages phase. Plaintiff’s attorneys at trial were Joey Diaz and Dennis Sweet of Jackson. Judge Kidd was the trial judge.

In a separate case, I understand that there was an 11-1 defense verdict in Hinds County last week in a nursing home case. Sharon Bridges with Brunini was on the defense side and plaintiff’s attorneys included John Hawkins and Precious Martin.