A Sedgwick County jury awarded $35 million to a young boy and his family after finding that delayed medical care from medical malpractice resulted in permanent, life-altering injuries.
Yet despite that $35 million historic verdict achieved by Prochaska Law Firm, the family will recover only a small portion of the award because Kansas law requires physicians to carry just $1 million in malpractice insurance coverage.
This means that even when a jury determines the full value of a child’s lifelong medical needs, the practical recovery may fall dramatically short of the harm suffered. Parker Patton’s case highlights a difficult reality facing families across Kansas in medical malpractice cases.
What happened to Parker Patton
Parker Patton was born on October 21, 2020. On day 6 of life, he began exhibiting warning signs that something was seriously wrong, including persistent yellow vomiting, not eating and irritability. Parker was suffering from intestinal malrotation with midgut volvulus — a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention.
The delay in properly diagnosing and treating Parker caused catastrophic and irreversible harm. As a result of the delay in treatment, Parker lost all of his small intestines and half of his large intestines and was forced to undergo a multivisceral transplant of his small bowel, pancreas and liver at just 22 months old.
Since infancy, he has endured multiple surgeries and faces a lifetime of complex medical care. According to his current prognosis, Parker may never speak, eat, or live beyond the age of 30.
Beyond the physical toll, the condition places an extraordinary financial burden on his family, including substantial ongoing out-of-pocket medical expenses.
The jury’s finding of fault
Not every bad medical outcome constitutes medical malpractice. However, when a physician fails to meet the accepted standard of care — such as failing to timely recognize and treat a newborn experiencing signs of a known medical emergency — the provider may be legally responsible for the resulting harm.
In Parker’s case, the jury determined that the delayed diagnosis and treatment directly caused his catastrophic injuries. After hearing the evidence, the jury concluded that the physician failed to meet the accepted standard of care for a physician which resulted in medical negligence, and the loss of Parker’s bowel was an avoidable outcome.
The jury’s $35 million verdict
A Sedgwick County jury returned a $35 million verdict in favor of Parker and his family, recognizing the devastating and permanent consequences of the delayed diagnosis and treatment. The award was intended to account for past medical expenses, ongoing treatment, future care, and the lifelong needs Parker will face as a result of his injuries.
Despite the jury’s determination, the family is expected to recover only about $1 million.
The shortfall is not a reflection of the evidence presented at trial, but rather the structure of medical malpractice coverage in Kansas. Physicians are required to carry minimum levels of insurance, and statutory limits combined with available coverage can significantly restrict what a family is able to collect — even after a substantial jury verdict.
“Thirty-six years ago, there used to be unlimited coverage for doctors, then the insurance companies got involved,” said Brad Prochaska, who recently spoke with local news channel KSNW about the case and the reality of medical malpractice verdicts in Kansas.
As a result, there remains a stark gap between what a jury determines is fair compensation and what families are ultimately able to recover.
What this means for victims of medical malpractice in Kansas
Jury verdicts do not always translate into full, real-world compensation. Even when injured patients and their families prevail at trial, significant financial uncertainty may remain.
In catastrophic malpractice cases, the long-term burden can be overwhelming — whether the victim is a newborn, a child, or an adult. Ongoing medical care, lost income, reduced quality of life, and emotional strain often extend far beyond the courtroom.
While a verdict provides accountability and formal recognition of wrongdoing, it does not always guarantee that the compensation awarded by a jury will be fully recoverable. As Parker’s case demonstrates, there can be a substantial gap between what a jury determines is fair and what the law ultimately allows an injured person to collect. Accountability matters, especially in our health care system.
Civil lawsuits remain one of the only remedies available to patients and families harmed by medical negligence. When malpractice occurs, the civil justice system provides an avenue to uncover what went wrong, hold providers responsible, and promote transparency.
Verdicts do more than compensate injured patients. They can expose systemic failures and reinforce the standards of care that protect everyone. Even when available insurance coverage does not fully align with the harm a jury recognizes, jury awards serve an important role in affirming community expectations for safe and competent medical treatment.
Our role as experienced medical malpractice trial lawyers
Not every medical malpractice case proceeds to trial. However, meaningful results often depend on being fully prepared to present the case to a jury. Insurance carriers evaluate claims differently when they know a legal team has the experience, resources, and willingness to try complex, high-stakes cases if necessary.
Medical malpractice cases are complex and deeply personal. These cases require a thorough understanding of medical standards of care, causation, expert testimony, insurance structures, and Kansas personal injury law. Even when a case ultimately resolves outside the courtroom, careful preparation and trial readiness can significantly influence the outcome.
Individuals and families facing catastrophic medical injuries should seek experienced counsel as early as possible to understand their rights, preserve critical evidence, and develop a strategic approach focused on achieving the strongest possible recovery.
About Prochaska Law Firm, medical malpractice lawyers
Prochaska Law Firm brings decades of experience handling catastrophic injury and medical malpractice litigation in Kansas. Our firm is known for handling complex, high-stakes cases that demand thorough preparation and trial experience. We understand the profound physical, emotional, and financial toll medical negligence can place on individuals and families. Our attorneys are committed to helping clients seek answers, accountability, and meaningful recovery.
We offer free consultations and represent clients on a contingency fee basis. To speak with an experienced Wichita medical malpractice attorney, contact our office or
fill out our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation.
