Top New Jersey Medical Malpractice Payouts of 2025

$17M Settlement Reached in Delayed C-Section Birth Injury Case

Represented by: Daryl L. Zaslow of Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP

In a significant medical malpractice and birth injury case filed in New Jersey, plaintiff Jenna Doucette alleged that a failure in timely and appropriate medical intervention led to catastrophic outcomes for both her and her daughter, Shea Doucette. Diagnosed with placenta percreta—a dangerous pregnancy complication—Jenna was under the specialized care of Dr. Abdulla Al-Khan. However, days before her scheduled cesarean section, she suffered a uterine rupture and placental abruption, resulting in an emergency delivery. The birth left Shea with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and cerebral palsy, while Jenna endured severe hemorrhaging, multiple transfusions, and a prolonged ICU stay.

The lawsuit culminated in a $17 million settlement in January 2025, intended to support Shea's lifelong medical care and therapy needs. The settlement reflects the severity of the injuries and the long-term impact on the Doucette family, who now face a future of ongoing emotional, physical, and financial hardship. The resolution provides a degree of accountability for the events surrounding Shea's birth and underscores the critical importance of managing high-risk pregnancies with timely intervention and specialist oversight.

$14M Verdict in Hasbrouck Heights Sexual Assault Case

Represented by: Kate Carballo of Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C.

A Bergen County jury has awarded $14 million to three women who accused their former primary care physician, Dr. Carl Renner, of sexually abusing them during medical examinations. The verdict also held Renner’s former employer, Osler Medical Group, partially responsible for failing to act on patient complaints. Renner, now 73, lost his medical license in 2021 after pleading guilty to criminal sexual contact involving six patients. He received probation rather than prison time but continues to reside in New Jersey. In civil proceedings, the jury found Renner liable for over half of the damages and Osler Medical liable for the remainder due to negligence in supervising the physician and ignoring warning signs.

The victims’ claims span decades, with one woman detailing abuse that began when she was 13 years old and continued for over a decade. The lawsuits described repeated sexual contact during supposed medical treatments and emphasized Osler’s failure to intervene despite internal reports. One victim told a nurse practitioner she felt uncomfortable being treated by Renner, yet her concerns were dismissed without investigation. The verdict awarded up to $6 million in damages to one woman, including future medical costs, and included a $500,000 award to the husband of another for loss of consortium. Factoring in interest, the total payout could exceed $15 million.

$11.5M Verdict in Stroke Misdiagnosis Arrest

Represented by: Dennis M. Donnelly of The Donnelly Law Firm

In a harrowing miscarriage of justice, Cheryl Lynn Rhines was mistakenly arrested for driving under the influence while she was actively suffering a stroke behind the wheel. Despite exhibiting classic stroke symptoms—facial drooping, confusion, and immobility—New Jersey State Troopers misinterpreted her medical emergency as narcotic impairment, cuffed her, and delayed crucial treatment. This error led to permanent disabilities for Rhines, who is now paraplegic and requires full-time care.

A New Jersey jury awarded Rhines $11.5 million in damages, finding the state troopers’ conduct both negligent and outrageous. The officers allegedly mocked Rhines, failed to recognize her urgent medical condition, and transported her to a police station rather than the nearby emergency stroke center. The delay cost her critical treatment time, resulting in irreversible brain damage. As her attorneys argued, “Any ordinary human being observing Cheryl Rhines would have immediately recognized and called for emergent medical care.”

$3.65M Settlement in Roseland Surgical Error Case

Represented by: Paul M. da Costa of Sarno da Costa D'Aniello Maceri LLC

Michelle Argast, a 39-year-old woman from Roseland, New Jersey, reached a $3.65 million settlement after sustaining significant injuries from a surgery that allegedly deviated from accepted medical standards. The procedure, performed by Dr. David A. Greuner at Special Surgery of Essex County, was intended to treat a rare medical condition. However, Argast claimed the surgical team’s negligence led to complications so severe she required a colostomy bag for an entire year. Her complaint, filed in August 2022, named both the surgeon and the surgical facility as defendants.

The settlement underscores the serious consequences of alleged medical malpractice and highlights the legal system’s role in compensating patients for preventable harm. Argast’s counsel, Paul da Costa of Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri, called the case “a prime example of a surgeon needlessly endangering the safety and well-being of a patient,” emphasizing the deviation from the expected standard of care. The case reinforces the importance of diligence in preoperative planning and procedural execution to avoid life-altering outcomes.

$2.04M Verdict in Bicep Surgery Malpractice Case

Represented by: Jeffrey J. Zenna of Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari

In a recent New Jersey medical malpractice case, a Morris County jury awarded $2.04 million to Michael Arroyo, who sustained permanent nerve damage during surgery to repair a torn left bicep tendon. Arroyo underwent the procedure after injuring himself while lifting weights in February 2018. Following the operation, he reported persistent pain and loss of function in his left hand. An investigation revealed that the operating physician, Dr. Robert Petrucelli, had severed a nerve during the surgery. Arroyo’s attorney, Jeffrey J. Zenna of Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari, argued that the nerve injury was avoidable and directly resulted from surgical error.

The defense maintained that the nerve damage was an inherent risk associated with the type of tendon repair performed. However, the jury ultimately sided with Arroyo, determining that Petrucelli's actions fell below the accepted standard of care. The award compensates Arroyo for the pain, loss of mobility, and additional surgery he required as a result of the nerve injury. This case highlights the significant consequences of surgical missteps and the importance of maintaining vigilance in high-risk orthopedic procedures.

Conclusion

The high-value payouts seen across New Jersey in 2025 reflect a growing emphasis on accountability and patient rights in the face of medical negligence. From catastrophic birth injuries and surgical missteps to gross misconduct and misdiagnoses, these cases reveal the devastating impact medical errors can have on individuals and families. While no settlement or verdict can undo the harm suffered, these outcomes offer a measure of justice and underscore the critical need for diligence, transparency, and oversight in healthcare practices. As these stories demonstrate, the legal system continues to serve as a vital recourse for victims seeking redress and reform.