Medical malpractice case ends with $9.1 million award

When a person is injured in Maryland, they can likely expect a certain line of treatment. For example, a person with a broken leg may have a cast and crutches. A person who breaks their ankle would not expect that such an injury would lead to the loss of their leg. Unfortunately in a recent medical malpractice case, one man claims that he lost his leg as a result of a doctor’s treatment of pain, apparently stemming from a broken ankle.

The man claims that he fell on some steps in Oct. 2004, resulting in a broken ankle. Court records indicate that the man experienced nerve pain near his toe that was apparently related to the injury. His doctor eventually decided to amputate the toe.

The initial amputation allegedly caused an infection, ultimately leading to the amputation of a second toe. That procedure was followed by the amputation of his leg below the knee in 2009. After another infection developed, a different surgeon amputated the remainder of his leg. Records indicate that the plaintiff became unable to work following the amputation of his leg in 2009.

A jury recently agreed upon a $9.1 million award as a result that includes lost wages, medical expenses and for pain and suffering. The man’s former wife also received $350,000. Because his injuries were the result of medical malpractice, he decided to take action. Maryland patients who have also suffered at the hands of a medical professional have the same option. By seeking legal recourse, a victim may not only receive an award for damages, but can also help prevent another person from having to go through the same painful experience.

Source: The Buffalo News, Former Tonawanda dispatcher awarded $9.1 million in medical malpractice suit, James Staas, Feb. 18, 2014