$1,900,000 Settlement

A medical malpractice settlement was obtained on behalf of our client, a 36-year-old woman who suffered from permanent neurological deficits due to negligent performance of an anterior lumbar interbody fusion at the defendant hospital. The orthopedic surgery caused a cerebrospinal fluid leak, bone fragment retropulsion, and cauda equina nerve damage that was not diagnosed nor repaired in a timely manner. The cauda equina nerves extend from the end of the spinal cord below the L1/L2 vertebrae, and control leg movement, sensation, bladder, bowel, and sexual function. When compressed for too long, a condition called Cauda Equina Syndrome can result, which is a surgical emergency. In this case, surgical management was delayed, causing our client to suffer from Cauda Equina Syndrome, which hinders many activities of her daily living.

Pre-suit, we obtained expert support from multiple medical experts in fields including orthopedics, neurosurgery, and neuroradiology, and were anticipating proceeding to depositions. When the defendant hospital reached out for early dispute resolution, however, our clients agreed. The parties proceeded to mediation and this case settled for $1,900,000.