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Man Who Lost Leg Awarded $1.5 Million

By Ben Glass

A man from West Tennessee was awarded $1.5 million by a jury in Madison County, Tennessee against a Jackson, Tennessee doctor and the medical corporation he was employed with after the man lost a leg due to an infection during a surgical procedure, according to court records. The award was made against Dr. George Thomas and Madison Clinic Corp. on August 12. Cedar Grove, Tennessee resident Michael Derrick was the plaintiff in the case.

"The money is not going to replace my leg," Derrick said. "Most people don't get a second opinion; they trust the doctor to know what he's talking about."

Derrick said that he underwent bypass surgery on his left leg performed by Thomas at the Regional Hospital of Jackson in January 2006. He said that in March of that year, he returned to Thomas complaining of fever and chills. He said Thomas diagnosed him with the flu.

Approximately a week later, Derrick went to Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee complaining of severe pain which required emergency surgery on his left foot. He said doctors at Baptist informed him of a bacterial infection which had spread into his left leg and required amputation. He said the doctors told him he nearly died from the infection.

Derrick's complaint alleged post-operation negligence on the part Thomas and negligence for his failure to inform Derrick of the risks and alternatives before obtaining his consent for surgery, according to one of his attorneys.

During eight visits with Thomas after his surgery, Derrick was not diagnosed with the bacterial infection until it had spread to the point where amputation was required, according to another of his attorneys.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ben Glass

Full post as published by Northern Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer on September 20, 2008 (boomark / email).