In a landmark Utah ruling, a judge has awarded a family $951 million in damages—the largest sum ever granted in the state—for egregious medical negligence during childbirth.
The case began in October 2019, when Anyssa Zancanella traveled to Jordan Valley Medical Center in West Valley City for delivery while visiting from Wyoming. According to court records, hospital staff repeatedly administered excessive doses of Pitocin despite clear signs of fetal distress, while an on-call doctor reportedly slept just steps away. A C-section was delayed for more than 24 hours, depriving the newborn, Azaylee, of sufficient oxygen.
Now five years old, Azaylee requires round-the-clock care due to severe brain damage, seizures, and significant developmental impairments. Her family described the hospital as “the most dangerous place on the planet” for childbirth—a sentiment vividly echoed by Judge Patrick Corum in his ruling.
While the ruling reflects the gravity of the harm, collecting the full amount may prove difficult. The hospital’s former operator, Steward Health Care, is bankrupt and facing massive debt. Nonetheless, Zancanella’s legal team hopes to secure at least the punitive portion of the award.
This tragic outcome underscores the importance of accountability in medical care and the profound, lifelong costs of preventable errors.