Jury Awards $2.5 Million Medical Malpractice Verdict

On August 3, 2007, partner Chris Messerly obtained a record $2.5 million medical malpractice verdict in Wausau, Wisconsin.  The case involved the failure of a neurosurgical team to promptly diagnose and perform surgery on a severe back condition called cauda equina syndrome.  The case was brought on behalf of a 54 year old farmer and his wife.  The farmer can no longer work on his farm which has been in his family since the 1870's.  The farmer has lost significant function of his bowel and bladder and much of the use and feeling of both of his legs.  Chris Messerly stated that "the significance of the recovery is not the size of the verdict itself, but the fact that the funds will allow the family to keep their farm and provide for future medical expenses and loss of income."