In April 2018, a Bonneville County jury awarded $7.96 million to Shane and Rebecca Ackerschott after a medical malpractice claim against Mountain View Hospital’s RediCare in Idaho Falls. The jury found the RediCare physician responsible for worsening Mr. Ackerschott’s progressive spinal cord injury during a 2014 clinic visit, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. The award included $1 million for non-economic damages, with the remainder allocated to past and future medical expenses.
Legal Accountability and Public Safety
The verdict underscores the duty of healthcare providers to follow established safety protocols for suspected spinal injuries, including restricting patient movement to prevent further harm. The jury’s decision affirms that when clinical standards are not followed and a patient is harmed, accountability through the civil justice system can reinforce safer practices and help protect the community.
Compensation and Recovery
The $7.96 million award reflects the substantial costs associated with catastrophic spinal cord injuries, including intensive medical treatment, ongoing rehabilitation, assistive care, and home or vehicle modifications. In Idaho, personal injury recoveries vary widely based on severity, permanence of impairment, and proof of negligence. While some matters resolve for tens of thousands of dollars, cases involving life-altering injuries or medical malpractice can reach several million. Awards in these cases are intended to compensate for medical expenses, lost income, impaired earning potential, pain, suffering, and other documented hardships, thereby helping victims toward long-term security and care.
Legal Framework in Idaho
Idaho’s workers’ compensation rules and medical malpractice standards both shape personal injury remedies. To prevail in a malpractice action, it must be demonstrated that there was a breach of the expected level of care and that this breach was the cause of the damage suffered. Juries may award economic and non-economic damages where the evidence supports those losses. Although Idaho law includes certain limits and procedural requirements in medical malpractice cases, juries can still return significant awards when the proof shows serious harm tied to lapses in care.
Cases like the Ackerschott verdict demonstrate how civil actions can provide vital resources for long-term recovery while encouraging safer medical practices. For Idaho families dealing with severe injuries linked to negligence, consulting an experienced injury attorney can help clarify options, protect essential rights, and pursue fair compensation that supports both medical needs and quality of life.
Source: https://localnews8.com/news/2018/05/03/couple-awarded-7-96-million-in-jury-verdict-against-mountain-view-hospitals-redicare/
