$2.04 Million Jury Verdict for Negligent Spinal Surgery

Patricia Bent underwent a right laminectomy performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Navinder Sethi. Although the surgery was successful, she developed pain, numbness and tingling on her left side. She returned to Dr. Sethi, who recommended a bilateral laminectomy at L3-4.

Unfortunately, during that surgery, Bent suffered a right-side dural tear, which led to leakage of cerebral-spinal fluid and caused permanent nerve damage.

After this surgery, Bent, 64, was unable to feel anything on her right side from her waist down to her foot. That prevented her from walking independently, driving, or continuing her work as a nurse where she was earning approximately $70,000 per year.

Bent and her husband sued Dr. Sethi and Potomac Valley Orthopaedic Associates, alleging negligent performance of the bilateral laminectomy. The lawsuit also alleged that defendants chose not to provide informed consent in that Dr. Sethi did not offer Bent the option of undergoing secondary treatment on the left side of her spine instead of the surgical procedure that Dr. Sethi performed. The risk of a dural tear during a spinal revision is as high as 30%, the plaintiffs claimed.

Following the trial, the jury signed a verdict for more than $2.04 million in favor of the Bents.

The attorneys successfully handling this lawsuit were A. Wray Fitch IV and Tera Clary.

Bent v. Sethi, No. 443250-V (Md Cir. Ct. Montgomery County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling medical negligence cases for individuals, families and loved ones who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including River Grove, Harwood Heights, Elmwood Park, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Skokie, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Lake Zurich, Hawthorne Woods, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Vernon Hills, Mettawa, Bannockburn, Northfield, Glenview, Morton Grove, Lincolnwood, Chicago (Logan Square, North Center, Ravenswood, Irving Park, Albany Park, North Park, West Ridge, Greek Town, Fuller Park, Jackson Park, Calumet Heights, East Side, Pullman, Roscoe Village, Beverly, West Pullman, Morgan Park), Evergreen Park, Blue Island, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, Palos Heights and Palatine, Ill.

Robert D. Kreisman has been an active member of the Illinois and Missouri bars since 1976.