$2M Verdict For PA Man has Corn Removed, Loses Both Legs (Pennsylvania)
A jury has awarded more than $2 million to a man who had a corn removed from his toe and ultimately lost both legs after a series of infections. Donald Davis Sr., 59, of North Wales, Montgomery County, sued Pottstown podiatrist Therese M. Rinaldi, who removed the corn. Davis, who had circulation problems, developed an infection, gangrene and then a staph infection after the corn was removed. He was later treated for sores on both legs. Doctors ultimately decided to amputate his right leg above the knee and his left leg below the knee.
The Berks County jury set Davis' damages at $3.4 million, but found he was 40 percent responsible, lowering the award to almost $2.07 million. Davis did not tell Rinaldi about his circulation problems when he first visited her office, according to court records. Davis alleged that Rinaldi did not review his medical records before removing the corn from his small toe on Sept. 27, 2000, at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.
Davis, who was also treated at St. Joseph Medical Center, also sued surgeons and both hospitals, but they were dismissed as defendants before the two-week trial. Rinaldi's attorney said he plans to appeal.
Source: Associated Press [10/7/06]
