IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday overturned a verdict in a medical malpractice case from 2022 that was the largest amount awared in state history. The Kromphardt family brought the medical malpractice lawsuit against Mercy Iowa City, Dr. Jill Goodman and OB-GYN Associates after their baby was injured during childbirth. The family’s lawsuit alleged the baby was injured because the doctor was negligent while using forceps and a vacuum delivery system to deliver the baby, and the negligence caused brain damage to the baby. The baby was diagnosed with ischemic brain injury, seizures, facial nerve palsy and skull fracture with subdural hemorrhage – all caused by the head injury, according to the lawsuit. A jury returned a verdict in favor of the family in March 2022, awarding them $97.4 million. Mercy settled its portion of the lawsuit, but the clinic and its insurer appealed, claiming the judge erred on several points. The clinic argued the court erred by admitting hearsay evidence, specifically a package insert from the manufacturer of the vacuum system that warns against using it after a failed forceps attempt. The clinic argued the insert can’t be used as evidence because the opposing party would not be able to cross-examine the source of the statement. The clinic also argued the verdict was excessive, and the court should have granted a new trial based on that. The ruling on Friday sets the stage for a new trial.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) – Iowa Democrats who watched Republicans make additional gains in the legislature following Tuesday’s election results have decided to keep their leader in the house and wait to choose their leader in the senate. Republicans will have supermajorities in both the house and senate when the legislature convenes in January, which gives them two seats for every one that Democrats hold. House Democrats chose to keep their leader, despite the results of Tuesday’s election. Saturday, Democratic representatives re-elected Jennifer Konfrst, Windsor Heights, as their minority leader. Konfrst previously became the first woman to serve as leader for House Democrats, released a statement following the caucus vote to keep her as leader. Senate Democrats will need a new leader since Pam Jochum of Dubuque retired. They chose not to pick a new leader. Several senate races from Tuesday are within a few dozen votes and could face recounts.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Charges have been filed against the Iowa City woman accused of driving her minivan into a biker, who later died. The incident happened on September 15 when Ashlee Hopkins was participating in the Farm Cycle Ride in Iowa City. Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith said 77-year-old Ok Soon Lee of Iowa City hit Hopkins as she was riding in the 3300 block of Rohret Road. Hopkins was taken to the hospital and was then taken off life support a few days later. Lee has now been charged with failure to maintain control, speeding and failure to drive on the right-hand side of the roadway. The Johnson County Attorney said the police investigation found no evidence of intoxication or cell phone use, and no evidence to indicate that Lee intentionally engaged in conduct reflecting a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of others. Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to 30 days in jail. A conviction for failing to drive on the right-hand side of the road causing death carries an enhanced penalty of a $1,000 fine, or suspension of driver’s license for no more than 180 days, or both. An initial court appearance is set for Dec. 6.
CORALVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) – Old Gold, LLC announced Friday plans to launch a new restaurant at the former location of the Iowa River Power Restaurant in Coralville. Old Gold says the new restaurant, which has not been named, is expected to open in late summer 2026. Iowa River Power Restaurant, a beloved stapled in the Iowa City area, closed its doors last year after more than 45 years of business. In a news release, Old Gold said the new restaurant will seek to bring back the essence of the original venue. In October, Coralville City Council members approved tax incentives for improvements to the Iowa River Power building to ensure that any work will help preserve the former power plant under ownership by Old Gold, LLC. Old Gold, LLC says it plans to launch an official website and social media presence for the new restaurant in 2025.
