OAS Helps Injured Wyoming Worker Secure $10 Million Verdict

Earlier this year, a jury in Wyoming awarded a 51-year-old power plant supervisor from Rock Springs a $10 million verdict following a two-week trial. They determined negligence on the part of both hospital staff and his attending physician contributed to the emergency amputation of both his legs just four days after his release. A detailed article on his story appears here.

Court documents state the plaintiff checked into the hospital with cramping and acute numbness in both legs affecting his ability to walk. The attending doctor determined his condition was chronic and discharged him with instructions to see his primary doctor. Days later, the plaintiff presented at another hospital with severe kidney failure. Physicians diagnosed him with ischemia, sepsis, and renal failure—resulting in the emergency amputation of both legs above the knee.

During the plaintiff’s first hospital stay, a CT angiogram indicated an acute arterial blockage at the knee level. Documents indicate the attending physician diagnosed him with uncontrolled diabetes and peripheral vascular disease—without noting the vascular emergency. Evidence suggests nurses did not communicate the serious nature of his condition to counterparts at shift change—preventing them from intervening on his behalf. They also failed to share daily assessments—which could have prompted the doctor to re-evaluate.

After his surgery, the plaintiff secured sedentary work as a classroom instructor, using a motorized or manual wheelchair for mobility.  Ed Provder —founder and President of  Occupational Assessment Services, Inc. —established the plaintiff’s pre-injury  earning capacity  at $112,354. He estimated the plaintiff would sustain a 20% loss of earning capacity in his new job—and established a lifetime loss-of-earnings of $404,460. The jury determined the hospital and physician were both at fault before returning a verdict of $10 million dollars—one of the largest in Wyoming history.

Occupational Assessment Services, Inc. —a nationwide leader in Life Care Planning and Vocational Evaluations —supports attorneys in catastrophic injury cases from offices in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas. We also offer video conferencing for remote access nationwide.

Vocational Expert/Life Care Plan reports from  OAS  can help you document damages in large  personal injury cases . If your next catastrophic injury case requires an experienced  life care planner  or employability expert, call  800-292-1919 . We’ll send a proposal containing the experts’ professional qualifications, our fee schedule, and a sample report.

Occupational Assessment Services, Inc.—Know the Value of Your Case ™ !