Watertown, New York — A jury recently awarded $5.6 million to Roger Altman, a man whose leg was amputated due to alleged medical malpractice at Samaritan Medical Center in 2018. The case highlights severe shortcomings in the hospital’s emergency care protocols, signaling a troubling pattern of negligence.
Altman, who was 75 years old at the time of the incident, had previously led an active life filled with swimming and exercise. His attorneys argued that the leg amputation was preventable and that life-saving intervention should have been provided sooner. The verdict reflects the jury’s determination, as they chose to exceed the initial $4.5 million requested by Altman and his wife.
The amputation occurred during an emergency room visit on June 6, 2018. According to legal representatives from the Cherundolo Law Firm, alarmingly low blood pressure and clear symptoms of illness were overlooked, leading to a rapid deterioration of blood flow to Altman’s leg. Within hours, the damage became irreversible, necessitating an above-the-knee amputation.
The situation worsened when an infection developed at the surgery site, leading to a second procedure to remove the remaining part of his leg up to the hip. “The loss of Mr. Altman’s leg was entirely preventable if basic, yet critical, measures had not been overlooked by the doctor in charge of Roger’s care,” said Patrick Lannon, one of Altman’s attorneys.
The physician involved was working at the hospital temporarily, and the medical center bore legal responsibility in this case of malpractice. This incident marks the second significant malpractice verdict against Samaritan Medical Center involving leg amputation in recent years.
In a prior case from 2021, the same hospital was found liable in a lawsuit brought by Jeffrey Lewis, an active-duty soldier who had his leg amputated after a misdiagnosis during an emergency visit in 2014. He was initially treated for tendonitis but instead had underlying blockages that required amputation. Lewis received $13.5 million as compensation and was forced to retire from military service.
Peter Papayanakos, also part of Altman’s legal team, described the amputation as a “catastrophic injury that never should have happened,” underlining the profound impact the incident has had on Altman’s life. “Roger was failed, and that failure came with devastating consequences,” he added.
As the healthcare system faces growing scrutiny, this case serves as a reminder that accountability for medical negligence remains paramount. The jury’s decision sends a strong message that Upstate New York juries are willing to hold negligent healthcare providers to account.
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