A Maryland jury recently awarded $10 million to the family of a teenager who died after doctors failed to diagnose a fatal condition on time. On September 9, 1999, 19-year-old Benjamin Strange was admitted to the University of Maryland Hospital complaining of severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. After conducting several tests, physicians determined that Strange was either suffering from lupus or a blood disorder called thrombotic thrombocytopenia pupura (TTP). It took four days, however, to conclusively diagnose Strange with TTP. Strange died while physicians were preparing treatment.

After a five-day trial, the jury awarded Strange's estate $6 million and his parents $4 million. Because of state law caps on non-economic damages, Judge Joseph McCurdy reduced the verdict to $560,000 for the estate and $840,000 for Strange's parents.