A Philadelphia jury has awarded more than $6 million to a heroin addict who was paralyzed from the chest down due to alleged negligent medical treatment.

The jury on Wednesday awarded plaintiff Harry Walker, who was paralyzed from a spinal infection, $6.6 million. Although the attending physician who initially treated Walker was not found to be negligent, the jury determined that Jeanes Hospital was 64 percent at fault for the injury. The trial lasted nine days before Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Shelley Robins New.

“The enduring value of the civil jury process was demonstrated today,” said Messa & Associates attorney Eric H. Weitz, who represented the plaintiff, in a statement. “A jury of 12 Philadelphians challenged their own beliefs and overcame typical biases against those in our society that suffer from the disease of addiction. We hope that Jeanes Hospital takes this message to heart.”