A recent medical malpractice verdict out of Florida has turned heads—and for good reason.
After a two-week trial, a Hillsborough County jury awarded $70.8 million to Chiaka Stewart, a patient who suffered a debilitating stroke two days after being discharged from a freestanding emergency room affiliated with Tampa General Hospital. The case raises critical questions about emergency care standards, accountability in healthcare staffing, and the legal limits on damages for Medicaid patients.
At HGD Law Firm, we believe verdicts like these deserve close attention—not just for their size, but for what they reveal about the systems meant to protect people at their most vulnerable.
A Missed Opportunity with Life-Altering Consequences
The core of the case is something we see far too often: a patient with troubling symptoms being sent home too soon.
In July 2021, Stewart visited a freestanding ER in Brandon, Florida, reporting symptoms that, according to trial evidence, should have triggered a more thorough neurological evaluation. Instead, she was discharged. Two days later, she suffered a major stroke.
Her legal team argued that had she received timely imaging or referral, her stroke may have been avoided or mitigated. The jury agreed, finding that the ER staff—through decisions that failed to meet the standard of care—missed a critical opportunity to intervene.
This isn't just about one mistake. It's about what happens when systems break down, and patients pay the price.
The Hidden Complexity Behind the Verdict
What makes this case especially significant is how the responsibility was ultimately assigned.
While Tampa General was named, the staffing agency responsible for ER nursing care was held liable, based on contractual arrangements that placed decision-making authority—and thus accountability—with them.
This highlights a growing trend in medical malpractice litigation: the scrutiny of third-party staffing agencies, particularly when their clinical personnel are integrated into hospital-branded facilities. Patients may not know who’s making the call behind the scenes—but under the law, those decisions matter.
At HGD, we pursue every angle in complex cases like these. Because when your health is on the line, we make sure no one hides behind paperwork or contracts.
A Win Against the Medicaid Damages Cap
Another key legal issue in this case revolved around Florida’s cap on non-economic damages for Medicaid recipients. If applied, the cap would have slashed Stewart’s award by more than $50 million.
But the judge ruled that the cap didn’t apply—marking an important moment for Medicaid patients seeking justice.
This matters. Catastrophic injuries like stroke don’t just cost money—they take away mobility, independence, and quality of life. Non-economic damages are how courts acknowledge that loss, and blanket caps can deny victims the full recognition they deserve.
Why This Case Resonates
This verdict sends a powerful message: healthcare providers—whether hospitals or contractors—must be held to the highest standards when lives are at stake.
At HGD Law Firm, we’ve built our practice on representing people just like Chiaka Stewart. People who trusted a medical professional, only to be left with lifelong consequences when that trust was broken.
With 16 attorneys and a 30-person support team, our firm is committed to pursuing the truth, demanding accountability, and helping clients move forward after the unimaginable.
Whether it’s a delayed diagnosis, a rushed discharge, or a corporate entity trying to dodge responsibility, we are relentless in making sure your story is heard—and that you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.
If you or a loved one suffered harm after a medical discharge or misdiagnosis, contact HGD Law Firm today. We’re here to listen, guide, and fight for what’s right.
