MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

BROWARD CIRCUIT COURT

A jury awarded wound care specialist and retired surgeon John MacDonald $453,141 for unnecessary surgery. His wife received $50,000 on a derivative claim.

MacDonald had a CT scan after experiencing chest pain. The scan was misread to show aortic dissection, a life-threatening condition. The surgeon saw no dissection, so open heart surgery was aborted. Five days later, MacDonald developed atrial fibrillation and was placed on blood thinners. Four days later he had surgery for cardiac tamponade. For three months he could not drive, perform chores or visit a wound care clinic in Haiti.

Holy Cross Hospital reached a confidential pretrial settlement. At trial, the remote radiologist was determined to be negligent. The defense is challenging the verdict.

Case: MacDonald v. Holy Cross Hospital

Case No.: CACE18002884

Plaintiffs attorney: Paul C. Buckley, Panza, Maurer & Maynard, Fort Lauderdale

Defense attorneys: Lori B. Lewellen and Jonathon P. Lynn, La Cava & Jacobson, Fort Lauderdale

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