Interesting question. Conceivably, if he had stated that his wife had a poor prognosis, he still could have gotten substantial damages. If there really was malpractice, that would apply whether she lived or died imo.
He may have been playing on the sympathy of the jury in stating his devotion and intentions to care for her himself on a long-term basis, or that may truly have been his intention at the time.
I just wonder if there is any legal requirement to spend lawsuit money a particular way if it was awarded for the care of someone versus money won just for damages. I've read that $700,000 was to go to her care and $300,000 went to him for damages. I hope they change the guardian to someone in her family ---- and also look at if he owes her money --- or if the girlfriend has money that was meant to go to the medical care of the wife.