$6.25 Million Jury Verdict for Injuries Suffered for an Unnecessary Hip Replacement

Elizabeth Njinga suffered from back pain for a long period of time. She was referred to an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Michael Alexiades. The doctor reviewed her x-rays and ordered an MRI.

Dr. Alexiades told Njinga that she had moderate degenerative changes in her hip and that her pain was coming from her hip and her back. The doctor recommended a hip replacement for pain relief.

After undergoing that surgery, Njinga experienced continued pain. Her relationship with her husband has been affected, and she is unable to travel extensively as she once did because of her condition.

Njinga and her husband sued Dr. Alexiades and the hospital in which the surgery was completed, alleging performance of an unnecessary hip surgery and lack of informed consent. The Njinga family asserted that the MRI had shown only mild abnormalities and, therefore, Njinga had not required a hip replacement surgery. The Njinga family claimed that the hip replacement left her with permanent post-operative pain.

After the jury trial, the jury signed a verdict for $6.25 million in favor of the Njinga family. The trial judge denied the defendants’ post-trial motions.

The attorney successfully handling this case for the Njinga family was Jordan K. Merson.

Njinga v. Alexiades, No. 805196/2016 (N.Y. Supp. Ct., New York City)

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling hospital negligence lawsuits, surgical negligence cases, wrongful death cases and 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 Lake Forest, Northbrook, Glencoe, Buffalo Grove, Bolingbrook, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, Palatine, Calumet City, Cicero, Joliet, North Riverside, Burbank, Blue Island, Harvey, Worth, Markham, Hazel Crest, Chicago (Beverly, Washington Heights, Greater Grand Crossing, Woodlawn, Wrigleyville, North Kenwood, Bridgeport, Lower West Side, West Town, Dearborn Homes, Armour Square, Andersonville, Canaryville, Archer Heights, Lawndale, Ukrainian Village, Lakeview, Wrightwood Neighbors, Mid North District, Park West, Gold Coast, Goose Island, Lakeview, Buena Park, Uptown, Marquette Park, Edgewater Beach, West Rogers Park), Evanston, Elmhurst, Elk Grove Village, Flossmoor, Highwood, Homewood, Niles, Park Forest, Park Ridge, Morton Grove, Arlington Heights and River Grove, Ill.

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