Albany, GA – In a recent legal showdown at the Dougherty County Superior Court, Michelle and Jesse White were awarded a substantial $2 million in damages following a medical malpractice case centered around complications from a surgery performed by Dr. Donna R. Graf-Blow of Albany OB-GYN. The ruling came after the plaintiffs argued that Dr. Graf-Blow caused permanent damage to Michelle’s ureter during a robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy in August 2016.
The Whites, represented by attorneys Robert D. Howell, J. Jeffrey Helms, and Casey Gray of Helms Law Firm, initially sought $900,000 in damages. The case stemmed from a serious medical accusation; according to the filed complaint, Michelle White endured seven additional procedures attempting to repair the injury sustained from the initial surgery. Some procedures involved repeated stenting of the left ureter, all requiring general anesthesia.
As the Whites faced mounting medical costs, their legal team highlighted the prolonged pain and suffering Michelle experienced. The jury also heard about the significant adjustments the Whites had to make in their daily life, including Michelle’s subsequent requirement for adult diapers, despite her resilience and continued professional work, which even led to a promotion.
The White’s counsel prepared meticulously for the trial, focusing on a post-operative report that they claimed omitted crucial details regarding precautions that should have been taken during the surgery. Their argument hinged on the premise that the absence of specific documentation pointed to negligence. The attorneys argued that in medicine, documentation is critical, and without it, it’s presumed that the standard care was not met.
Meanwhile, Dr. Graf-Blow and Albany OB-GYN, defended by Gregory Tyson Talley and Annika M. Register of Coleman Talley, maintained that they had adhered to the standard of care typical for such surgical procedures and denied any direct causality between the actions of Dr. Graf-Blow and the injuries claimed by Michelle White. The defense emphasized that the occurrence of a ureter injury was a known risk of the type of surgery performed.
After nearly two years of legal preparation and no initial settlement offers from the defense, the case proceeded to a jury trial before Chief Judge Willie E. Lockette on November 4. Within just 30 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned with their verdict on November 6, decisively in favor of the plaintiffs, granting them over double what was originally sought.
This lawsuit underscores significant discussions in the medical and legal communities about the implications of surgical complications and the importance of detailed operative reporting. It also highlights how careful documentation and adherence to medical standards are critical in defending against malpractice claims.
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