Ohio Radiologist Avoids $5M Malpractice Verdict Under State Cap

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An Ohio radiologist named Vincent Keiser, MD, was able to avoid paying a $5.15 million jury award to a patient named Thomas McNalley by invoking the state's malpractice damages cap. McNalley had sued Keiser and his practice, Toledo Radiological Associates, alleging that Keiser failed to diagnose a blood clot in McNalley's abdomen, leading to the removal of a large portion of his intestine and short gut syndrome. While the jury sided with McNalley, the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals ruled that Keiser could not be compelled to pay the full amount due to the state's legal limits on non-economic damages.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate around medical malpractice damages caps, which are intended to keep liability insurance costs down for healthcare providers but can also limit the compensation available to injured patients. The ruling in favor of the radiologist demonstrates the power of these state-level laws to shield doctors from large jury awards, even in cases where negligence has been proven.

The details

A jury had originally awarded Thomas McNalley around $4.5 million in non-economic damages as part of the $5.15 million total verdict against radiologist Vincent Keiser, MD, and his practice Toledo Radiological Associates. However, Keiser and his practice were able to successfully argue that Ohio's state law capping non-economic damages should apply, shielding them from having to pay the full jury award.

• In 2025, a jury sided with Thomas McNalley in his lawsuit against Vincent Keiser, MD, and Toledo Radiological Associates.
• In December 2025, the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals ruled that the state's malpractice damages cap applied, allowing Keiser to avoid paying the full $5.15 million jury award.