A woman paralyzed as a result of spine surgery at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Newark, N.J., received a $5 million settlement, reports New Jersey On-Line.
Four details:
1. The patient alleged in a lawsuit filed against her neurosurgeon and his employer, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, that she underwent surgery to remove a portion of the vertebral bone to relieve middle and lower back pain and numbness.
2. The woman’s attorney said that when she awoke in the recovery room, she was paralyzed from the middle of her back to her feet.
3. The parties reached a settlement on February 8 before the case would go to trial. The settlement resolves claims against defendants in the lawsuit.
4. Since RNJMS is state-owned, the state paid the settlement on May 6.