Plaintiff claimed doctor injured urinary duct – Defense Verdict

Plaintiff underwent sigmoid resection surgery by defendant surgeon for acute diverticulitis. Plaintiff alleged that the defendant negligently transected her ureter, the urinary duct between the kidney and bladder. Plaintiff’s experts opined that the defendant should have identified, and if necessary, dissected out the left ureter to protect it. Plaintiff’s experts also opined that the defendant left a portion of sigmoid behind which then led to a hospitalization for recurrent diverticulitis. Defendants’ experts argued that identification of the left ureter was too risky in the severely inflamed and infected surgical field. Rather, it was prudent to stay close to the colon with the surgical dissection. Defendants’ experts argued that it was appropriate to remove only the diseased portion of the sigmoid and that plaintiff had not experienced any recurrent diverticulitis.

[18-T-032]

Type of action: Medical Malpractice

Injuries alleged: Transected ureter and recurrent diverticulitis

Name of case: Confidential

Court: Richmond Circuit Court

Case no.: CL16-5284

Tried before: Judge

Name of judge or mediator: Judge Bradley B. Cavedo

Date resolved: March 29, 2018

Special damages: $550,000

Demand: $1,800,000

Verdict or settlement: Defense Verdict

Attorneys for defendant: Robert Donnelly and Robyn Ayres, Richmond

Plaintiff’s experts: Aaron Chevinsky, M.D. – general surgeon – Wisconsin; Michael Hellinger, M.D. – colorectal surgeon – Florida

Defendant’s experts: L.D. Britt – general and acute care surgeon – Norfolk; Scott Hockenberry, M.D. – general and acute care surgeon – Ohio

Insurance carrier: The Doctors Company