Buckelew, et al. v. Womack, et al.

Summary

In this medical malpractice case, Jonathan Buckelew suffered a stroke while at a chiropractic visit. He was subsequently transported to North Fulton Medical Center, where he received treatment from a host of physicians.

Representatives for Buckelew claim that the imaging performed shortly after he arrived at North Fulton should have alerted doctors that he was suffering from a brain stem stroke. If diagnosed here, they argue, Buckelew would not have developed locked-in syndrome.

Representatives for defendants argue that doctors followed the standard of care in properly searching for the cause of Buckelew's collapse, given the symptoms he presented. Additionally, they claim that Buckelew would have developed locked-in syndrome regardless of when his stroke was diagnosed, due to its severity.

Outcome

Verdict for plaintiff.
Total damages: $75 million.

Apportionment of fault:
Dr. Matthew Womack, 60%
Dr. James Waldschmidt, 40%