A jury ruled Philadelphia-based Temple University Hospital, orthopedic surgeon Easwaran Balasubramanian, MD, and postoperative care physician Frederick Nissley, DO, were liable in a $4.57 million malpractice case, according to The Temple News.
Here are five things to know:
1. The jury affirmed the 2013 lawsuit against the hospital and two physicians after the then-72-year-old patient Annabelle Glasgow developed a bacterial infection after knee surgery, which resulted in amputation. The $4.57 million represents past and future pain as well as suffering, past lost wages, past care costs and future care costs for 10 years.
2. Dr. Balasubramanian was found 40 percent liable, equaling $1.83 million, which means he will pay the majority of damage costs. Dr. Nissley and TUH were both found 30 percent liable; they will pay $1.37 million.
3. Ms. Glasgow visited Dr. Balasubramanian in 2009 for degenerative arthritis in both of her knees. Although she had a history of circulation issues, Dr. Balasubramanian failed to make note of the issues prior to surgery.
4. Six weeks after the knee replacement, Ms. Glasgow's knees showed signs of infection. Over the next year, she would undergo five operations to try to reverse the infection.
5. Ms. Glasgow visited another orthopedic surgeon at Penn Presbyterian Hospital for a second opinion. There she learned she would need above-the-knee amputation of her left leg. She underwent the amputation surgery in 2012 and filed the malpractice suit in 2013.