On November 17, 2023, a Maricopa County jury returned a unanimous verdict against Banner Health, totaling $31,550,825, for the birth injury of Greyson Griepentrog. The verdict is the largest medical malpractice verdict in the history of Arizona, and is also likely the largest verdict of any kind in Arizona. Because the verdict surpassed a pre-trial settlement offer of $7 million, there will be an additional $2 million added to the historic verdict against Banner, for a total of over $33 million.
On May 31, 2014, Krystle Griepentrog presented at Banner Good Samaritan (now Banner UMC-Phoenix) for the delivery of her first child. Everything was fine at first, but then repeated warning signs of oxygen deprivation to the baby (called hypoxia) became evident. Rather than deliver the baby by c-section, Banner’s nurses and resident doctors decided to give Pitocin. This dangerous drug made Krystle’s contractions longer and and stronger, causing more oxygen deprivation to the baby. Over the next 14 hours, the Banner nurses and doctors ignored dozens of red flags and continued to increase the Pitocin. Greyson was finally born at 1:45am on June 1, 2014. He was essentially lifeless. The Banner doctors all diagnosed Greyson with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). His treating doctors over the next 9 years all diagnosed him with HIE. Banner, however, refused to take responsibility for their misconduct. Instead, they hired experts from throughout the country to try to convince a jury that Greyson’s injuries were not due to HIE, but rather were due to an undiagnosed, unknown genetic condition.
After a 4 week trial, a jury of 11 Maricopa County residents unanimously rejected Banner’s attempt to deflect responsibility. The unanimous verdict is historic on several levels. Not only is it the largest medical malpractice verdict ever in Arizona, but it also comes after Banner refused to even make an offer to settle the case. Attorney Brian Snyder was relieved that justice was appropriately served, stating, “The jury unanimously told Banner that they caused these injuries, and now the family can have closure on this sad case.” This is the second record-setting verdict Snyder & Wenner has obtained against Banner Health. In 2017, a Tucson jury returned a $15 million verdict against Banner UMC-Tucson when its resident violated another hospital safety policy, causing the patient to be in a vegetative state.
For more information on this incredible verdict, please visit Snyder & Wenner’s website at: www.snyderwenner.com or call the firm at 602-224-0005.
