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Your Case
Spinal Cord Injury
Hospital Errors Lead to Paralysis
After
surviving a motor vehicle head on collision, our client, Janos Tivadar,
was properly treated by the ambulance crew, including placement
on a long back board with a cervical collar restraint in place. When he
reached the hospital, the emergency room physician and staff were
informed that he had been injured in a head-on accident; had to be extricated
from his vehicle; and could not move his left leg, left arm, and right
leg at the accident scene. In the hospital that day, our client moved
both legs, and both of his lower extremities were neurovascularly
intact. A chest x-ray and chest CT scans showed that he had a thoracic spine
injury, which meant that he was at risk of spinal cord injury if
not properly treated. Despite this, he was taken off the long back board
and the cervical collar before being taken to the operating room
for surgery on his leg.
Failure to Diagnose and Follow Procedures Leads to Permanent Injuries
The next day, Janos began losing movement in both his legs. A neurosurgeon
was finally called and documented a complete spinal cord injury
with no movement or sensation in legs. In the discovery process conducted by the Corson & Johnson Law Firm, the evidence showed that the hospital and emergency room
physicians had not followed standard procedures, including:
- failing to diagnose a thoracic injury with risk of spinal cord damage after the chest x-ray and CT scans clearly showed the injury;
- failing to promptly obtain a neurosurgeon evaluation after the ambulance crew information was available that the young man had been unable to move his left leg, arm, and right leg following a head-on motor vehicle accident, and also after the ER staff learned he had suffered multiple bilateral rib fractures and a sternoclavicular fracture;
- failing to have a general surgeon available and present directing the trauma team through the vital phases of resuscitation;
- failing to maintain adequate resources to care for all trauma patients presented to the hospital;
- choosing to clear the spine and failing to continue preventative measures to avoid having sufficient damage to the spinal cord to cause paralysis injury (paraplegia); and
- failing to have hospital systems and procedures in place to assure appropriate management and care of multiple trauma patients.
As a result, the patient became fully paralyzed below the mid-chest level.
The experienced trial lawyers of the Corson & Johnson Law Firm filed the case and pursued the case on behalf of Janos against the hospital. Facing the prospect of a jury trial where the facts of the case might become public, the hospital agreed to compensate Janos for his permanent injuries and provide the financial means for Janos to live with the medical and living needs brought on by his injuries.
Project Walk for Spinal Cord Injuries
The Corson & Johnson Law Firm was able to negotiate for the hospital to designate part of the settlement to Project
Walk in Oregon, a non profit organization that is using
innovative therapies to help people with spinal cord injuries
lead a more mobile life on behalf of Janos Tivadar. Project Walk is internationally
recognized as a pioneer in exercise-based recovery for
people with spinal cord injuries; providing hope, improved
quality of life and a chance for life beyond a wheelchair.
As part of the mission of Making Sure the Law Works for Everyone, The Corson & Johnson Law Firm actively pursues this type of positive result beyond revovering monetary compensation for our clients through the judicial system. Through the cases we handle, The Corson & Johnson Law Firm is committed to working for changes that stop or reduce the recurrence of senseless accidents, errors, or product defects in effort to provide a safer environment for every American.
Learn about the Project Walk Trial Week Event
Project Walk Scholarship Information
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