The Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter stated that it was a record verdict for Winnebago County for a leg amputation. The trial took place at the Winnebago County Courthouse and lasted two weeks. The jury returned a verdict after less than five hours of deliberation. 

Donald Johnson had a history of peripheral vascular disease. He was complaining of weakness and dizziness on August 10, 2010 when he was admitted to Rockford Memorial Hospital. Johnson was treated by a doctor who applied a special gauze bandage called an Unna Boot to Johnson’s leg, which remained on for a period of five days. The lawsuit claimed that the boot should not have been used — tests had revealed that Johnson had only 41 percent blood flow to the leg, making the restrictive wrap dangerous.

After the boot was removed, Johnson’s leg showed necrotic issue. A below-the-knee amputation was required immediately, and an above-the-knee amputation became needed later.

The lawsuit claimed that the doctor, a general surgeon, failed to consult with a vascular surgeon and failed to employ surgical options to restore blood flow to the patient’s leg.

Paul Greenberg is a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.

The parents of Maverick Ramseyer, now age six, filed the suit against Silverton Hospital in Oregon. The boy’s movements and coordination are hindered by the neurological disorder. He needs physical therapy and will probably need to wear a leg brace for the rest of his life.

Elizabeth Ramseyer’s pregnancy was healthy. However, when labor began, the baby’s head was not positioned at the cervix. According to the lawsuit, his heart rate dropped to 60 beats per minute for a period of about six minutes. The doctor then decided to deliver the baby via emergency cesarean section. The baby was apparently unable to breathe when he was born, and doctors attempted to resuscitate him using an oxygen bag and face mask before clearing his airway, which had become blocked, the lawsuit alleges.

Maverick’s parents and attorney say that he will need medical care for the rest of his life, and that he currently has one to three appointments each week with physical, speech and occupational therapists. The Ramseyers said that they max out their insurance plan each year and incur $500 per month in medical debt.

The lawsuit seeks damages for medical expenses, loss of earning capacity and other damages.

Paul Greenberg is a Chicago birth injury lawyer with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.

The family had been awarded $21 million by a jury in Baltimore City Circuit Court, but that was reduced to $20.6 million because of Maryland’s cap on non-economic damages.

Baltimore’s MedStar Harbor Hospital argued that there was insufficient evidence that the cerebral palsy resulted from delivery complications, but the Maryland Court of Special Appeals affirmed the capped award.

The appeals court, in a 3-0 decision, said that the central issue in the trial was a “classic battle” between expert witnesses, and that it was the jury’s decision who to believe.

The family’s experts said that the obstetrician’s failure to perform a cesarean section promptly caused the delivery complications and the child’s cerebral palsy. They testified that the baby’s low oxygen levels, shown on a fetal heart rate monitor, called for a C-section, but that the doctor allowed labor to continue for three more hours.

In its opinion, the court wrote that while the experts disagreed, there was sufficient evidence from the plaintiff’s side to make the question of causation an issue for the jury’s consideration.

Bob Briskman is a birth injury lawyer with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.