$4.27 Million Jury Verdict in Infection-Related Leg Amputation for Failure to Treat After Surgery

Annabelle Glasgow, who was 71 years old, suffered from diabetes, hypertension and congestive heart failure. She was admitted to Temple University Hospital to undergo bilateral total knee replacements to be done by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Easwaran Balasubramanian. She developed pain at the incision site, swelling and drainage. In spite of these conditions, she was discharged from the hospital within 3 weeks after the bilateral total knee replacements.

After a follow-up appointment with Dr. Balasubramanian, she underwent an irrigation and debridement of her right knee. The cultures taken from that procedure revealed that she had a bacterial infection. She continued to have excessive drainage in the right knee and developed a pressure ulcer on her right heel.

The pressure sore required another hospitalization and several procedures, which included skin grafting, incision and drainage to address her wound.

While Glasgow was hospitalized over the next several months, she developed a MRSA infection in her left leg, which required removal of the hardware placed there for the knee replacement and that led to above-the-knee amputation. She was a waitress who is no longer able to work.

Glasgow sued Dr. Balasubramanian claiming that he chose not to monitor the ongoing vascular insufficiency in her lower extremities, and he chose not to timely prevent the progression of her ischemia. Both claimed issues with the lack of the blood flow to both Glasgow’s legs following the surgeries. The lawsuit also alleged that among other things, the hospital was liable for its part in failing to adhere to infection control policies throughout the hospital that would prevent infections. Finally, the lawsuit alleged that a treating physician, Dr. Frederick Nissely, chose not to timely diagnose the heel ulcer and order the appropriate diagnostic tests to attack the infection.

The jury’s verdict of $4.27 million apportioned liability at 40% to Dr. Balasubramanian, 30% to Dr. Nissely and 30% to Temple University Hospital. The award also included $127,000 for Glasgow’s lost income and $500,000 for her pain and suffering.

The attorney representing Annabelle Glasgow was Irene M. McLafferty.

Glasgow v. Temple University Hospital, No. 1343 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pleas Phila. County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling hospital negligence cases, medical malpractice cases, birth injury cases, physician negligence cases and surgery negligence cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Highland Park, Highwood, Homewood, Chicago (Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Roscoe Village, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Uptown, West Ridge, Edgebrook, Norwood Park, Edison Park, Humboldt Park, Garfield Park, Little Village, Bridgeport, Bronzeville, Oakland, Stockyards, Archer Heights, Midway, Marquette Park), Western Springs, Clarendon Hills, Villa Park, Buffalo Grove and Vernon Hills, Ill.