Appeals Court Trims $13M Medical Malpractice Award

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A federal appeals court has overturned nearly $6.5 million in damages that were previously awarded to a Rhode Island woman in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Lucia Urizar-Mota sued Providence Community Health Centers, alleging they failed to properly diagnose her brain tumor, leading to a stroke in 2019. The appeals court ruled that a portion of the original $13 million award was 'unsupported by the evidence and grossly excessive'.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex and often contentious nature of medical malpractice lawsuits, where large damage awards can be subject to further legal challenges. The appeals court's decision to trim the award underscores the importance of ensuring damages are proportional to the evidence presented.

The details

Urizar-Mota visited Providence Community Health Centers multiple times starting in 2012, complaining of persistent headaches. The health center allegedly failed to order any imaging tests to investigate the cause. In 2019, Urizar-Mota suffered a stroke caused by an undiagnosed brain tumor. She then sued the health center for medical malpractice, winning a $13 million judgment. However, the appeals court found that a portion of those damages were not supported by the evidence presented at trial.

• Urizar-Mota first visited Providence Community Health Centers in 2012, complaining of headaches.
• Urizar-Mota suffered a stroke caused by an undiagnosed brain tumor in 2019.
• Urizar-Mota sued Providence Community Health Centers for medical malpractice and won a $13 million judgment.
• On March 28, 2026, the federal appeals court overturned nearly $6.5 million of the original $13 million award.