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Podcast Juror's Bias Voids $40M Medical Verdict
6 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Judge declared mistrial over juror's podcast comments.
- Allegations of undiagnosed infant blood sugar damage.
- A $40 million verdict was overturned due to bias.
A $40 million medical negligence verdict was thrown out by a judge after the jury foreperson's podcast revealed significant bias against healthcare providers. The judge cited the foreperson's comments as grounds for a mistrial, arguing they demonstrated prejudice against Presbyterian Healthcare Services.
The original two-week trial concluded with a verdict in favor of the child and parents, who alleged that Presbyterian failed to diagnose critical low blood glucose levels at birth, leading to permanent developmental effects. The awarded damages included $15 million in punitive damages.
Presbyterian attorneys contended that the foreperson, Rebecca Allen, concealed her biases during jury selection, particularly her strong opinions on the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines, which she expressed on her podcast. Allen, however, denied discussing the trial specifics in her podcast and maintained that her jury service was based solely on evidence presented.
