Edward Ricci Calls Three Strikes Against Doctor En Route to $4.9M Med Mal Win

In closing arguments at trial of a Florida doctor, Edward Ricci lays out the evidence he says cost a patient his leg. Jurors ultimately awarded more than $4.9 million in the case. 

"[The defense is] trying to rewrite the records,” Ricci told jurors during closings. “The evidence says that this was acute, and to suggest otherwise, that belies common sense.”

Ricci argued patient Samuel Gray’s leg could have been saved if the clot had been treated promptly. Ricci contended the doctor, Panagiotis Iakovidis was called the evening of January 21st when Gray was first admitted to the hospital, but did not enter orders regarding Gray’s treatment until late in the afternoon of the 22nd.

Meanwhile, Ricci said, nursing notes showed Gray’s symptoms worsening, with him complaining of leg weakness and cold skin. “This leg is dying, and Dr. Iakovidis isn’t doing anything about it,” Ricci said. “That doesn’t meet the minimum standard of care: not in Polk County (Florida), not anywhere.”

Read more about the trial.