$16.5M Verdict in Duluth Medical Malpractice Case

A Duluth jury unanimously found St. Luke’s Hospital negligent in the wrongful death of Scott Olson, awarding his family $16.5 million in damages. Olson, 49, died in 2019 from untreated blastomycosis, a fungal pneumonia endemic to northern Minnesota. The trial evidence showed that despite clear warning signs and a transfer for specialized care, St. Luke’s failed to diagnose or treat the condition in time. This verdict is among the largest medical malpractice awards in Minnesota history, delivering long-awaited justice to Olson’s wife and children.

Ciresi Conlin attorneys Mathew Korte and Rachel Barrett tried the case, assisted by senior paralegal Maggie Palmisano and medical analyst Shelley Peters.