A jury in Atlantic County, New Jersey, returned a $37 million medical malpractice verdict in a suit claiming a child was born with cerebral palsy because of the negligent administration of the drug Pitocin to his mother during childbirth.

Jurors sided with the disabled plaintiff and his mother after an attack on their expert witness by defense lawyers appeared to backfire, one of the plaintiffs' lawyers said.

Following a two-week trial before Superior Court Judge Danielle Walcoff, the jury on July 31 awarded $29,021,150 in pain, suffering, disability, impairment and the loss of enjoyment of life; $5,481,023 in future life care expenses; and $3,045,923 in lost future income. The judgment was entered against registered nurses Susan Venesz and Carol Daley and obstetrician-gynecologist Asuncion Ciceron.