Affirming a $20 million jury verdict in a medical malpractice suit, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court concluded a trial judge didn't abuse his discretion in not allowing the cross-examination of a co-defendant's high-low settlement agreement.

In a Jan. 3 opinion, authored by Justice Scott L. Kafker, the high court unanimously affirmed the $20 million verdict against registered nurse Susan Hanlon and others who allegedly discharged the plaintiff, Steven Luppold, from the Lowell General Hospital despite persistent symptoms that his foot was painful, cold, and turning blue. Luppold, 35, later had to have his leg amputated from above the knee, leading him to file suit against the medical providers.