After getting into a car accident I called Barbara and it was the best decision I ever made. She is amazing! I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer to represent me. She got me the best settlement to pay back my medi...
The fight with insurance companies is just as hard as fighting for your life after an accident. As long as you dont give up on yourself Barbara will fight for you. The staff at Kidwell and Gallagher were great as well. I...
These two are specialists in two related fields, personal injury and workmen’s comp. Both they and their staff were VERY responsive to me and my questions, and handled my case with patience and competence. I would,...
I feel like kidwell & Gallagher went above and beyond for me. Craig himself and his staff are so nice and helpful. I would highly recommend this law office for your workmans comp/injury needs. You will not be disappo...
The best place to go if you need good hometown lawyers. They are very informative and kept us updated on what was going to happen through out our case.
Was the best experience, we told them the problem and they took over everything, was such a relief. Always there to answer any questions and help is fast is possible.
I was at my job mountain crew changes there in the basement of kidwell and Gallagher
They weren’t able to help with my case, but they directed me to someone who could.
The $951 Million Award in Hospital Negligence Case represents one of the largest verdicts in U.S. medical malpractice history. At Kidwell & Gallagher | Personal Injury Lawyer Reno, we see this outcome as a significant reminder of both the devastation caused by preventable medical errors and the accountability families deserve when healthcare systems fail. For families nationwide, this case highlights the importance of strong advocacy, precise legal strategy, and the pursuit of justice when negligence changes a life forever.
For the Zancanella family, what should have been a joyful birth turned into a lifelong burden. Their child suffered a catastrophic brain injury known as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This happens when blood or oxygen flow to the brain is decreased or cut off during labor or delivery. HIE generally results in persistent disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, seizures, and cognitive impairments, requiring extensive care throughout a person’s life.
Instead of first steps and first words, the family now faces a lifetime of medical interventions, therapy appointments, and around-the-clock support. The demands of caring for a child whose condition was the result of negligence rather than fate alter every aspect of daily life. The emotional toll is equally heavy, as parents and siblings deal with the constant reminder that this injury could have been prevented had hospital staff acted quickly and followed established standards of care.
The Zancanella case revealed far more than a single error in judgment. It uncovered a series of problems at Steward hospitals, where warning signs were either missed or disregarded until it was too late. Staff failed to respond promptly to fetal distress, monitoring alerts were not treated with urgency, and established protocols that should have triggered immediate intervention were set aside. What should have been safeguards instead became weak points, leaving the family without the healthy birth they expected.
At its core, this case demonstrates medical malpractice, which occurs when professionals fail to uphold their duty to follow accepted standards of care, a duty that exists to protect patients from precisely these kinds of preventable outcomes. For the Zancanella family, the result was life-altering: a child left with irreversible brain damage and a family facing decades of medical, emotional, and financial challenges. Their story illustrates how systemic lapses inside a hospital can transform moments of hesitation into consequences that last a lifetime.
The $951 Million Award in Hospital Negligence Case holds significance for reasons other than its monetary value. It sends a clear signal to hospitals, insurers, and policymakers that juries will hold healthcare institutions accountable when systemic negligence devastates families.
This case reinforces several lessons for families affected by medical malpractice, each underscoring why this case is so important:
This case highlights how juries across the country may respond to systemic negligence and demonstrates how important it is for families to seek justice after preventable injuries.
Attorney Barbara Gallagher of Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers joined forces with Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers and other respected advocates to secure the landmark award through their combined efforts. Through thorough preparation, careful presentation of medical evidence, and clear testimony, the team demonstrated the scope of systemic failures at Steward hospitals.
Their teamwork demonstrates what is possible when dedicated advocates unite behind a common cause. Their efforts show that even against large hospital systems with vast resources, determined legal representation can uncover the truth and secure justice.
The $951 Million Award in Hospital Negligence Case serves as a reminder that meaningful outcomes are possible when families pursue their legal rights. At Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury Lawyer Reno, we fight for clients nationwide who have been harmed by preventable medical mistakes. Call us today at (775) 323-2667 for a free, confidential consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer who will listen, investigate, and fight for the recovery you deserve.
Craig W. Kidwell is the managing partner of Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., and exclusively represents injured workers in Nevada. Mr. Kidwell has been practicing workers’ compensation law in Nevada since 1999 and has acted as lead counsel on over 2,000 contested workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Kidwell represents injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. Craig regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and has represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Craig W. Kidwell who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.