Negligent Treatment Of A Broken Ankle Leads To $9.1 Million Medical Malpractice Award

An award for $9.1 million was made by a jury in the case where a former City of Tonawanda public safety dispatcher, Donald R. Schultz, broke his ankle nearly 10 years ago.  There were complications and the leg was eventually amputated.

The verdict in this case was against Dr. Michael A. Parentis, and the Knee Center of WNY.  Parentis treated Schultz from 2005 to 2009.

In October 2004, Schultz sought treatment for a broken ankle after falling on steps on his way to work.  He initially received treatment from a physician at Excelsior Orthopaedics.  The jury found that neither this physician nor Excelsior Orthopaedics was liable.

Schultz was experiencing pain on the side of this foot near his little toe.  This was evidence of an unusual nerve disorder, which was apparently the cause by the fracture to his ankle.  Schultz switched doctors about a year after the injury.  This is when Parentis began performing surgeries on the little toe.  Eventually Parentis amputated the toe.

After the amputation, Schultz developed and infection.  The fourth toe was then amputated by Parentis, however the pain continued.  In July 2009, Schultz’s leg below the knee was amputated by Parentis.  Another post-surgical infection developed which required that the remaining leg above the knee be amputated.  This last surgery was performed by another doctor in September 2009.  A total of 12 surgeries were performed by Parentis on Schultz.

Schultz had worked until he became disabled because of the amputations in 2009.  The trial lasted for 15 days.  The jury’s verdict awarded to Schultz $2 million for past pain and suffering, $4 million for future pain and suffering, and $2.8 million for past and future medical expenses and loss of wages.  Schultz’s former wife was also awarded $350,000 for loss of services.

If you live or a loved one has suffered due to the negligence of a doctor, contact an experienced Kingston, New York medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your case.  The time frame for commencing a medical malpractice lawsuit is only two and a half years so it is important that you do not wait.

But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.