Doctors typically swear an oath based on the historic Hippocratic Oath when they graduate — an oath based on the ethic of “do no harm.” Unfortunately, sometimes doctors fail to live up to this principle, and when that happens, it’s important that victims are compensated.
Presley & Presley has extensive experience with medical malpractice, and one of their biggest victories for their clients came in 2010.
The Original Diagnosis
When Vickie Shaw developed hip and groin pain three months after lower back surgery, she sought the advice and treatment of one Dr. Daniel D. Weed. Dr. Weed diagnosed her with a painful condition called avascular necrosis, characterized by the death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply. To remedy her condition, Dr. Weed recommended and performed a total hip replacement.
Increased Pain Leads to a Diagnosis Proven Wrong
After waking from surgery, 47-year-old Shaw immediately had severe and unrelenting leg pain. Further testing revealed that she had never had avascular necrosis at all, leading Shaw to believe that the hip replacement — an extensive surgery that requires a hefty recovery time with lots of physical therapy — was never necessary to begin with.
Botched Surgery Revealed
On top of the incorrect diagnosis, an error was made during the surgery that caused a lengthening of the leg and permanent damage to the sciatic nerve. Revision surgery was performed six weeks after Weed’s hip replacement surgery, which was able to correct the installation of the artificial hip and relieve some of the pain. However, due to the nerve damage from the original hip replacement, Shaw still requires ongoing pain management.
No Settlement Offers Lead to a Large Payout
Before the malpractice trial, a settlement demand of $995,000 was made to Dr. Weed’s insurer, but no offers were received. The trial lasted just three days, and the jury only deliberated for 90 minutes before awarding Shaw $1.4 million.
Presley & Presley – A Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered harm at the hands of a doctor, you deserve compensation. Our attorneys can look at the details of your experience and pursue a fair settlement to help you recover from your ordeal. And because you’ve been through enough, our fee is always contingent on the outcome of a case, meaning you pay nothing until you receive your settlement. If you’re ready to speak with one of our attorneys, give us a call at 816-931-4611 (or toll free at 855-931-4611), or use our contact form.