A jury has awarded a former New York Giants player Michael Cox $28.5 million in his medical malpractice case against a now deceased doctor and the hospital for which the doctor worked.
The case stems from an orthopedic surgery on the player’s ankle. In 2014, the running back suffered severe injuries to his ankle and broke his leg during a game. He went to the doctor to repair his ankle.
Unfortunately, the surgery failed. As a result, the running back sued for medical malpractice, saying that because of the surgery, he could not play in the NFL again. Indeed, the day of his injury was his last time playing for the NFL.
The jury agreed with the player. Of the $28.5 million the jury awarded, the jury designated $12 million for lost income. It also awarded $1 million for pain and suffering and $15.5 million for pain and suffering that the player will experience going forward.
The doctor’s estate and the hospital are planning an appeal of the verdict.
Medical procedures often have make it or break it consequences for careers
Professional athletes, of course, are not the only people who rely on their bodies and their overall health to make a living.
Many people in the area from all walks of life have to keep their bodies in good shape in order to do their work.
Construction workers and those in heavy industry have to be able to handle pressure on their bodies daily.
People in other professions, like healthcare, food service and hospitality also do a lot more walking and lifting than what people might expect.
The reality though is that just about anyone has to be healthy in order to be able to work. This is one reason why people go to their doctors in the first place.
These patients have the right to expect that their doctors will provide them with appropriate and careful treatment for their condition so the patients can keep earning a living.
If their doctors do not meet the standard of care and harm their patients, then the doctors are probably legally responsible for lost earnings and pain and suffering.