Salisbury, Md., CBS affiliate WBOC-TV reports that a Talbot County jury has awarded nearly $1 million to a 76-year-old patient who claims a general surgeon at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center (UMSMC) in Easton, Md., failed to properly diagnose and treat his stomach issue during surgery, which led to permanent damage.
The plaintiff’s lawyers said the verdict may be the largest medical malpractice verdict in the county’s history.
WBOC reviewed the court documents and found:
- The patient was brought by ambulance to UMSMC complaining of abdominal pain. After an x-ray and CT scan revealed a “large and serious hernia,” the general surgeon recommended an urgent robotic repair later that month.
- The patient experienced “significant” postoperative pain and “his condition rapidly deteriorated.”
- The patient was transferred to University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore for an additional surgery, during which doctors discovered the patient’s stomach had “allegedly” been pierced during the first surgery.
- The patient was then hospitalized for several weeks, then transferred to an outpatient rehabilitation center for several additional weeks.
- The patient alleged that the original surgeon negligently failed to inspect, diagnose, and repair the puncture, which led to another surgery, extensive hospitalization, and chronic health issues.
- The $970,900 verdict included damages for pain and suffering, past medical costs, and future medical expenses.
WBOC engaged the University of Maryland Medical System, which “stood by its medical staff.”
“Despite the jury’s verdict, we are grateful for the opportunity to defend the care our providers rendered to the plaintiff,” its spokesperson told WBOC. “While we are sensitive to the fact that [the patient] suffered injuries, we strongly believe the evidence clearly showed that clinicians followed the standard of care in this case.”
