A landmark ruling holds a hospital responsible for errors during a 2019 childbirth, resulting in the largest medical malpractice conviction in the state, raising financial and legal implications, and sparking debates about safety in public prenatal care.
A case recently drew attention in the US. In a landmark decision, a Utah court awarded $951 million to a family due to medical negligence during childbirth, resulting in permanent disabilities for Azaylee McMicheal, daughter of Anyssa Zancanella and Danniel McMicheal, in a case that could change the approach to prenatal care.
Judge Patrick Corum, in an unprecedented verdict, determined that Steward Health Care, the operator of Jordan Valley Medical Center, was liable for negligence during the delivery of Azaylee McMicheal.
The decision, handed down in August 2025, results in the largest medical malpractice compensation award ever recorded in Utah and one of the highest in birth injury cases nationwide.The $951 million award is surprising, especially when compared to typical compensation in similar cases.While most medical malpractice awards in serious childbirth cases range from $1 million to $15 million, the Utah verdict is approximately 63 times higher than the typical maximum amount for such cases.
In October 2019, Anyssa Zancanella and her husband, Danniel McMicheal, were on their way to Salt Lake City when Anyssa went into labor.
What should have been a simple and routine childbirth turned into a medical nightmare.
According to the lawsuit filed by the family, the nurses responsible for Zancanella's care, who were newly graduated and lacked adequate experience, administered excessive doses of Pitocin, a medication used to induce labor, while the on-call doctor was sleeping in a nearby room.
Negligence and irreparable damage
The failure to administer the medication and the delay in the procedure resulted in Azaylee being born with serious complications.
The child presented with cranial deformation, severe swelling, and other signs of oxygen deprivation. After delivery, Azaylee was airlifted to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, where she received intensive care.
The description of the errors committed in the process led Judge Patrick Corum to strongly criticize the treatment Zancanella received.
In his words, the hospital was compared to an improvised birthing room, "the most dangerous place on the planet."
Corum also expressed deep empathy for the family, stating that Azaylee, now 5 years old, lost the opportunity to become the person she could have been due to brain damage caused by lack of oxygen during birth.
Implications and repercussions
This case has significant implications for both the Utah healthcare system and childbirth care protocols in hospitals across the United States.
Cases of medical negligence of this magnitude often result in a review of internal hospital policies, enhanced training for medical staff, and, in some cases, changes to safety protocols.
Although the family was awarded a substantial compensation, the feasibility of receiving the full amount remains uncertain.
Steward Health Care has filed for bankruptcy, raising questions about the company's ability to pay the full amount of the judgment.
The family's lawyers, however, hope to secure at least punitive damages, which represent approximately half of the total amount of the judgment.
Negligence in childbirth: A milestone in legislation
The landmark ruling is also seen as a milestone for legislation on medical malpractice.
Similar cases may be treated more rigorously as other states assess the need to increase compensation for permanent injuries caused by preventable medical errors.
Lifelong care
The effects of injuries sustained during childbirth often require ongoing medical care throughout life, resulting in high costs for families.
The $951 million settlement is intended to cover Azaylee's care needs, including medical treatments, ongoing therapies, and assistive devices to improve the child's quality of life.
Possible appeal
Although Steward Health Care has not yet commented on a possible appeal of the decision, this case continues to generate debate about the responsibility of hospitals and doctors in the proper treatment of pregnant women.
The consequences for the healthcare industry in Utah and beyond could be profound, with hospitals under pressure to revise their practices and strengthen safety in childbirth care.
The landmark decision in Utah opens a new chapter in the fight against medical malpractice, providing an important precedent for families seeking justice for damages caused by failures in medical care.