$3.43 Million Jury Verdict for Unnecessary and Excessive Patient Surgeries

Patricia McCleod, 49, suffered from pain, numbness and tingling in her left leg. A plastic surgeon, Dr. Patrick Swier, ordered testing and later diagnosed McCleod with lower extremity nerve compression.

Dr. Swier recommended surgery to avoid permanent nerve damage. Dr. Swier performed nine separate nerve procedures on McLeod’s left leg.

After the surgeries, McLeod developed complex regional pain syndrome, which resulted in constant and severe pain. She is no longer able to work as a school teacher; she was earning $60,000 annually.

McCleod sued Dr. Swier claiming that he performed unnecessary and excessive surgery. Among other things, McCleod claimed that the diagnostic testing was negative and she was asymptomatic in her right leg.

The jury’s verdict was $3,430,000. McCleod was represented by attorneys Roger Landon and Philip T. Edwards.

At the jury trial, the plaintiff’s experts included a plastic surgeon and two neurologists all of whom testified.

McCleod v. Swier, (Del. Super. Sussex County, Dec. 11, 2014).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling medical negligence cases, birth injury cases and wrongful death 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 38 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Melrose Park, Mundelein, Schiller Park, Schaumburg, Barrington, South Barrington, South Chicago Heights, Chicago Heights, Blue Island, Flossmoor, Highwood, Highland Park, Homewood, North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion, Lake Bluff, Joliet, Bolingbrook and Bensenville, Ill.

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