Baxley Maniscalco Attorneys At Law
Medical negligence cases in Alabama can lead to substantial damages for injured patients. Nonetheless, these cases are often intricate and challenging to litigate.
Below is a compilation of significant medical negligence case data in Alabama, categorized by year and county.
Factors Influencing Verdict Value
The following elements can greatly affect the value of a medical negligence case:
- Severity of Injuries: More severe injuries generally result in higher verdicts.
- Medical Expenses: Documented medical bills enhance your case.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to injuries can be recovered.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical and emotional distress are important considerations.
- Expert Testimony: Strong expert witnesses are essential in proving negligence.
- Defendant's Reputation: The healthcare provider's reputation and credentials may sway the jury.
This information should not be considered legal advice. If you believe you've been harmed by medical negligence in Alabama, you should contact our medical malpractice attorneys.
2022
Jefferson County
Four medical negligence cases were resolved in 2022 in Jefferson County, Alabama.
Case 4943: Estate of Boatright v. Obiaka, et al.
Incident: Randel Boatright, 47, went to the ER with chest pain and was diagnosed with a pulled muscle. He died the next day from an aortic dissection.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Obiaka and Premier Medical, P.C.
Analysis: This case highlights the challenges in proving medical negligence in emergency room settings, where quick decisions must be made with limited information.
Case 4944: Estate of Moore v. Shah, et al.
Incident: Susan Moore died of hemorrhagic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation following surgery for suspected ovarian cancer.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Shah, Dr. Sechrist, and their respective employers.
Analysis: This case demonstrates the complexity of post-operative care and the difficulty in proving that different actions would have led to a different outcome.
Case 4945: Estate of Barber v. Kirkland
Incident: Roddy Barber, 70, died of sepsis less than a month after undergoing a laparoscopic hernia repair surgery.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Kirkland.
Analysis: This case shows how surgical complications, even severe ones, may not necessarily be considered negligence if the jury believes the doctor acted within the standard of care.
Case 4946: Vanzant v. Straughn, et al.
Incident: Jennifer Vanzant, 29, underwent laparoscopic pelvic surgery for suspected endometriosis. The surgeon mistakenly biopsied her rectal wall instead of peritoneal tissue, leading to complications.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Straughn and Brookwood Women's Health, P.C.
Analysis: This case illustrates how even clear surgical errors may not result in plaintiff verdicts if the jury views them as complications rather than negligence.
Mobile County
One medical negligence case was resolved in 2022 in Mobile County, Alabama.
Case 4961: Brooks v. Outlaw, et al.
Incident: Tawni Brooks underwent breast reconstruction surgery following a double mastectomy. She claimed the surgeon used a mesh product against her instructions, leading to complications.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Outlaw and his medical group.
Analysis: This case highlights the importance of informed consent and the challenges in proving that a specific medical decision directly caused the patient's complications.
Northeast Alabama
Two medical negligence cases were resolved in 2022 in Northeast Alabama.
Case 4984: Estate of Cooper v. Mahaffey, et al.
Incident: Jason Cooper, a psychiatric patient with suicidal ideation, died by hanging himself in the bathroom of a hospital psychiatric ward.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Mahaffey, Decatur Morgan Hospital West, and the Health Care Authority of Morgan County – City of Decatur.
Analysis: This case highlights the challenges in preventing suicide in psychiatric settings and the difficulty in proving that different actions would have prevented the outcome.
Case 4985: King v. Quansah, et al.
Incident: Janet King, 70, became paraplegic after her doctor allegedly failed to timely diagnose and treat her spinal cord compression condition.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Quansah and Decatur Morgan Hospitalist Group.
Analysis: This case demonstrates the complexity of diagnosing neurological conditions and the challenges in proving that earlier intervention would have resulted in a better outcome.
Northwest Alabama
One medical negligence case was resolved in Northwest Alabama in 2022.
Case 4994: Estate of Lanham v. Chamsuddin, et al. (Lauderdale County, 5-13-22)
Incident: Patient died after an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptured following stent placement.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Chamsuddin and U.S. Teleradiology, LLC.
Analysis: This case highlights the challenges in proving that a radiologist's interpretation directly led to a patient's death, especially when other medical professionals were involved in the care.
West Alabama
One medical negligence case was resolved in West Alabama in 2022.
Case 4998: Goode v. Gross (Tuscaloosa County, 2-10-22)
Incident: Laparotomy pad left in patient's abdomen after colon surgery.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Gross.
Analysis: Even in "never event" cases like retained surgical items, juries may still find in favor of the defendant if they believe proper protocols were followed.
Southwest Alabama
Two medical negligence cases were resolved in Southwest Alabama in 2022.
Case 5007: Bjuro v. Bender, et al. (Baldwin County, 10-14-21)
Incident: Golf pro claimed permanent scarring from laser skin treatment.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Bender and his clinic.
Analysis: This case demonstrates the challenges in proving negligence in elective cosmetic procedures, especially when the plaintiff has a history of similar treatments.
Case 5008: Estate of Porter v. Bautista (Baldwin County, 11-12-21)
Incident: Patient died from stroke complications after multiple ER visits.
Outcome: Defense verdict for physician's assistant Bautista.
Analysis: This case illustrates the difficulty in proving that different actions by a healthcare provider would have prevented a patient's death, especially in complex medical situations like stroke.
Central Alabama
Two medical negligence cases were resolved in Central Alabama in 2022.
Case 5025: Estate of Long v. Gilliland (Etowah County, 8-15-22)
Incident: Baby died after difficult C-section delivery.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Gilliland.
Analysis: This case shows how juries may side with healthcare providers in emergency situations, even when there are tragic outcomes.
Case 5026: Estate of Ellswick v. Anniston Emergency Medical Services, Inc. (Calhoun County, 10-28-22)
Incident: Woman died of heart attack after delayed EMT response.
Outcome: $6,295,000 verdict for the plaintiff (all punitive damages).
Analysis: This case is notable as the only plaintiff verdict in the group, with a significant punitive damages award. It highlights how extreme circumstances and perceived recklessness can lead to large verdicts.
2021
Jefferson County
One medical negligence case was resolved in 2021 in Jefferson County, Alabama.
Case: Young v. Faulkner, et al.
Incident: Charles Young underwent back surgery in January 2017 to relieve nerve compression at L5-S1. Dr. James Faulkner performed the surgery at Grandview Medical Center. Several months later, an MRI revealed the surgery had been performed at the wrong level (L4-5 instead of L5-S1). Young required two additional surgeries to correct the error.
Injuries: Young claimed lost income, financial loss, physical pain, mental anguish, medical expenses totaling $74,129, and permanent injury.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Faulkner and Cahaba Orthopedics, LLC.
Analysis: This case highlights the challenges of medical negligence litigation, even in cases where the error seems apparent. The defense successfully argued that the surgical error was a complication that fell within the standard of care, not malpractice. They characterized it as a "mistake" or "mal-occurrence" rather than negligence. This strategy, combined with expert testimony supporting their position, likely influenced the jury's decision.
Southeast Alabama
Two medical negligence cases were resolved in 2021 in Southeast Alabama.
Case: Estate of Rotton v. Gill
Incident: Eleanor Rotton underwent a colonoscopy performed by Dr. Satinderjit Gill in February 2014. Dr. Gill failed to identify a cecal mass during the procedure. Rotton continued to experience symptoms and was eventually diagnosed with a bowel obstruction. She died on July 4, 2014, after complications from emergency surgery.
Injuries: Bowel obstruction, sepsis, and death.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Gill.
Analysis: This case demonstrates the difficulty in proving medical negligence, especially in cases involving complex medical issues. The defense successfully argued that the cecal mass was not visible during the colonoscopy and that further testing would not have revealed it. Expert testimony played a crucial role in supporting the defense's position.
FEDERAL COURT (OPELIKA)
Case: Zapor v. Flandry
Incident: Julie Zapor underwent hip replacement surgery performed by Dr. Fred Flandry in February 2018. Despite Zapor's explicit request not to use Vicryl sutures due to a previous allergic reaction, Dr. Flandry used them during the surgery. Zapor developed a staph infection at the surgical site, requiring a revision surgery.
Injuries: Staph infection, revision surgery, and associated complications.
Outcome: Defense verdict for Dr. Flandry.
Analysis: This case highlights the importance of informed consent in medical procedures. Despite the patient's clear wishes, the jury found in favor of the defendant. The defense's strategy focused on causation, arguing that the sutures were not responsible for the infection. This case underscores the complexity of proving causation in medical negligence cases, even when there appears to be a clear violation of patient wishes.
Fight Harder, Fight Smarter
Medical negligence cases are intricate and demand experienced legal representation. If you believe you've suffered from medical malpractice in Alabama, it's essential to work with attorneys who grasp the complexities of these cases.
Our Alabama medical malpractice attorneys stand ready to aggressively represent you, fight for the compensation you deserve, and support you through every stage of the process.
If you're ready to partner with experienced legal counsel for your Alabama medical negligence case, contact us today to schedule a consultation.