$630,000 Settlement for Damage to Uninjured Left Leg Because of Failure to Timely Reposition Leg During Surgery

Ms. Doe, 33, was injured in a car accident. She underwent leg surgery after the car crash. Her uninjured left leg was kept in the hemilithotomy position for more than six hours. While the injured leg was being repaired, which is held straight in traction, the uninjured leg is positioned above and is bent. Because of the position of the good leg, it does require some repositioning during a lengthy surgery like this. However, in this case, Ms. Doe was later diagnosed with compartment syndrome in her left leg, the uninjured leg, which necessitated surgery.

Ms. Doe underwent rehabilitation and was fitted with orthotics, but now she has difficulty walking and climbing stairs. Her medical expenses related to the uninjured left leg were $8,600.

Ms. Doe filed a lawsuit against her treating orthopedic surgeon and the hospital claiming that the defendants chose not to timely reposition her uninjured leg and timely diagnose compartment syndrome. The lawsuit did not request lost income.

The defendants argued that they did not breach any medical standard of care and claimed they were not responsible for Ms. Doe’s injury to her uninjured left leg in that surgery. Before trial, the parties settled at a mediation for $630,000.

The attorney representing Ms. Doe was Peter A. Schmit.

Doe v. Roe Physician, Confidential Docket No. (Confidential State and Court, September 13, 2013).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling medical negligence cases, surgical errors, hospital negligence cases and nursing home abuse cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 38 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Bellwood, River Grove, Chicago Ridge, Midlothian, Harvey, Riverdale, Calumet Park, Robbins, Crestwood, Forest Park, Oakbrook Terrace, Villa Park, Elk Grove Village, Chicago (Rogers Park, Roscoe Village, Sauganash Sheffield, Wrigleyville, Hyde Park, Garfield Park), Northbrook, Northfield and Palatine, Ill.