Molly Craig Wins Defense Verdict in Medical Malpractice Case

IADC member Molly Craig and Jennifer Nutter obtained a defense verdict in Charleston County, South Carolina on August 31, 2012. The Plaintiff presented at the emergency department following a crush injury with massive tissue loss which occurred when a large piece of concrete fell and injured the Plaintiff's left leg. The Plaintiff sued the emergency room physician alleging that he failed to properly clean the wound and failed to order prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection of the wound. The Plaintiff argued that the contaminated material left in the wound caused a severe infection requiring subsequent surgeries and permanent damage. The Defendants proved the Plaintiff's injury was properly treated in the emergency department and prophylactic antibiotics were not medically indicated. Further, the Defendants proved that even if prophylactic antibiotics were ordered, these antibiotics would have no effect on the rare infection contracted by the Plaintiff. After a five day trial, the jury deliberated for less than an hour and returned a defense verdict finding the Defendants did not breach the standard of care.