Retired U.S. Airman Files Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Against U.S.

A former airman and his wife filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the U.S. government for $34.3 million dollars claiming military surgeons botched a routine gallbladder operation that resulted in the amputation of his legs.

On July 9, 2009, Colton Read underwent surgery to remove his gallbladder at the David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in California, according to the Star-Telegram. He claims that at the beginning of the procedure, doctors lacerated his aorta and caused his legs to lose blood flow for hours, resulting in the amputation of both legs.

The medical malpractice lawsuit claims that the Air Force, U.S. government, and David Grant Medical Center failed to supervise “the quality of medical, surgical, nursing and health care services.” The lawsuit also alleges that the defendants failed to enforce and adopt policies, procedures and rules for patient safety by allowing a resident surgeon to perform the procedure without proper supervision.

Read seeks damages for pain and suffering, physical impairment, loss of earning, mental anguish, and disfigurement. The lawsuit also seeks $20.5 million for Read’s wife, Jessica, for the loss of a normal relationship with her husband, loss of household services of her husband, and “loss of enjoyment of life or loss of capacity to enjoy life.”

Read’s medical malpractice lawsuit is a great challenge to the so-called Feres Doctrine, which has been in place for more than 60 years and protects the U.S. government from being sued by members of the military for negligence.

If you or a loved one has been injured by medical malpractice, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a medical malpractice lawyer may be able to help you.

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