$3.1M Medical Malpractice Verdict to Retired Cop in Loss of Leg

A retired Illinois police lieutenant has been awarded a $3.1 million jury verdict in a medical malpractice lawsuit that was filed after his left leg was amputated in 2010 following treatment of ongoing vascular problems in a local hospital.

Donald Johnson, 65, who formerly served on the police force in Loves Park, Ill., was admitted to Rockford Memorial Hospital on Aug. 10, 2010, after complaining of dizziness, weakness and suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding, according to a Jan. 23 story by the Rockford (Ill.) Register Star newspaper. He already had a history of peripheral vascular disease in his lower extremities, the story said.

A doctor examined Johnson in the hospital and then applied an Unna Boot on the man’s leg, which is a special gauze bandage, two days later to treat the wounds, the paper reported. That bandage was left on the victim’s leg for five days as part of the treatment, “despite medical tests revealing that Johnson had only 41 percent blood flow to the leg,” the story said.

“Johnson’s lawyers said the boot should not have been used because of the decreased blood flow to the left leg,” and when the special bandage was removed, “Johnson’s leg exhibited necrotic skin tissue, which ultimately required a below-the-knee amputation,” the story reported. “An above-the-knee amputation was required later.”

The lawsuit alleged that the doctor who treated him “failed to offer surgical options to restore blood flow to his leg and did not consult a vascular surgeon to treat the patient,” according to the story.

The jury reached its verdict following a two-week trial at the Winnebago County Courthouse after less than five hours of deliberations.

These kinds of cases are a somber reminder that patients and their families must be vigilant about the medical care they receive so they know what is being done for a patient’s care every step of the way. But at the same time, patients and families aren’t doctors and they can’t know every question to ask.

That’s where skilled, expert, compassionate and thorough legal representation is needed by patients and their families who have been harmed by medical errors or omissions during their treatment. These kinds of cases happen on a regular basis, but they can be fought by legal teams that are prepared to battle for their clients’ rights all along the way to a fair settlement or to a just verdict.

We here at MyPhillyLawyer stand ready to assist you with your legal case if you or a loved one is ever seriously injured in a similar medical malpractice, birth injury or related case anywhere in the United States. We represent the families of victims who die in such tragedies as well, to ensure that their families receive every penny of damages that they are eligible to receive.

Call MyPhillyLawyer at 215-227-2727 or toll-free at 1-(866) 352-4572 anytime and our experienced, compassionate, aggressive team of attorneys and support staff will be there for you and your family every step of the way as we manage your case through the legal system.

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