FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 7, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Broward County mother won a $36 million jury verdict yesterday against a pain management doctor whose injection into her spinal cord left her with paralysis, constant pain – and no hope for recovery.
According to the suit, Kathleen Ramey of Deerfield Beach, Florida, was under the care of Andrew Weiss, M.D. The West Palm Beach anesthesiologist and pain management physician was treating Ramey's neck pain related to an automobile accident.
On September 21, 2000, Weiss attempted a cervical epidural steroid injection. Weiss instead went through the epidural space and into the spinal cord. Failing to recognize his mistake, he injected the steroid mixture into Ramey's spinal cord. The injection destroyed tissue in her spinal cord and left her with a syrinx, or a four-inch hole in her spinal cord, said Linda Alley, her trial attorney from the personal injury law firm Sheldon J. Schlesinger P.A.
Today, Ramey's right arm is permanently disabled and disfigured, and she suffers constant pain. She has weakness in her legs, walks with a pronounced limp, and eventually will need a wheelchair, Alley said.
"Instead of being pain free and on the road to recovery, Ms. Ramey was left with what amounts to a degenerative condition that is growing worse with time," Alley said. "She only leaves the house for doctor visits, and when she does, she suffers the stares of strangers. With one injection, she lost all quality of life."
The three-woman, three-man jury took less than 90 minutes to return its verdict in the two-day trial. Jurors returned both for Ms. Ramey, now 52, and her husband, Douglas, for loss of his wife's "comfort, society and attentions." The case was heard by Judge Edward Fine in the 15th Judicial Circuit of Palm Beach County.
Weiss was not present for the case. He currently is serving 12 years in federal prison for selling prescription pain medications.
ABOUT THE LAW OFFICES OF SHELDON J. SCHLESINGER, P.A.
For more than 50 years, the Law Offices of Sheldon J. Schlesinger, P.A. have represented families and individuals in cases involving motor vehicle accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, drug defects, tobacco, accidental death and job site accidents. For more information, visit www.schlesingerlaw.com.