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Medical Malpractice – Jurors side with doctor in suit over rescue surgery
Virginia Lawyers Weekly//June 29, 2026//
Defense verdict
Injuries alleged: Perforated coronary sinus vein, resulting in rescue open heart surgery
Name of case: Stuart v. The Cardiovascular Group, P.C., et al.
Court: Fairfax County Circuit Court
Case No.: 2024-13332
Tried before: Jury
Name of judge: Judge Susan J. Stoney
Date resolved: June 11, 2026
Demand: $3 million
Amount: $0 (defense)
Attorneys for defendant: Paul Walkinshaw and Mary Grace Godfrey, Ashburn, Wharton Levin
Case description: The plaintiff alleged that a cardiac electrophysiologist perforated the coronary sinus vein during an atrial ablation procedure, resulting in a rescue open heart surgery and a difficult physical recovery. The plaintiff sought damages for a long hospitalization following open heart surgery, as well as compensation for pain, suffering and permanent disability.
After a four-day trial, the jury deliberated approximately 150 minutes before returning a defense verdict.
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