A Prince George’s County jury has returned an $18 million verdict in favor of Jamie White in a medical malpractice case alleging delayed surgical care led to the amputation of her leg.
The verdict follows a nearly five-week trial centered on treatment White received at Prince George’s Hospital Center after a 2020 fall. White, then 23, underwent approximately 30 procedures over an eight-month period before her leg was amputated above the knee.
Plaintiff’s counsel argued that two scheduled operations were delayed for hours, resulting in prolonged oxygen deprivation to the limb and ultimately rendering it nonviable.
“The standard of care should be the same no matter where you get care,” said trial attorney Karen Evans, framing the delays as a breach of duty.
The defense, representing the hospital—now part of University of Maryland Capital Region Health—maintained that treatment was timely and appropriate. In a statement, the system said it “strongly believes the evidence clearly showed that Ms. White was treated in a very timely manner and the care rendered to her was excellent.”
The jury’s award includes both economic and non-economic damages. However, pursuant to Maryland’s statutory limits on non-economic damages in medical malpractice actions, the total recovery is expected to be reduced substantially at the judgment stage. Legal analysts estimate the final award could be adjusted to approximately $4.5 million for pain and suffering, with economic damages—such as medical expenses and lost earnings—remaining uncapped.
The case underscores the ongoing legal significance of damage caps under Maryland law and their impact on large jury verdicts. It also highlights the evidentiary weight juries may place on alleged treatment delays in determining causation and liability in malpractice claims.
Attorneys note that verdicts of this magnitude often prompt post-trial motions and potential appeals, particularly where statutory caps materially alter jury awards.
The outcome adds to broader scrutiny of care standards and operational protocols at safety-net hospitals, where resource constraints and patient volume can intersect with liability risks.
