JSH health care defense attorneys Steve Bullington and Cory Tyszka recently obtained a defense verdict in a medical malpractice case. Their client, an orthopedic surgeon, was facing allegations of medical malpractice arising from a total hip arthroplasty procedure. During the 7-day jury trial, Plaintiffs alleged that Defendant was negligent by failing to repair an intraoperative femur fracture, failing to leave the prosthesis in proper anatomical alignment, and failing to recommend revision surgery, causing Plaintiff to suffer anatomical deformity, an inability to walk, and loss of employment. Defendant maintained that he met the standard of care in all respects, and that Plaintiff’s inability to walk was not caused by the surgery but was instead caused by pre-existing osteoarthritis, severe spinal stenosis, and Plaintiff’s failure to adequately engage in physical therapy. Plaintiffs claimed $429,000 in lost wages and at least $1 million in damages due to pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life. The case was tried in Maricopa County Superior Court before the Honorable Teresa Sanders. After deliberating for less than 45 minutes, the jury returned a defense verdict on December 5, 2018.
Throughout his 29-year career, Steve Bullington has tried more than 20 cases before a jury. He dedicates his practice to representing health care providers in matters involving allegations of medical malpractice and other areas of health care law. Steve is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) and is AV-Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He is consistently recognized for his medical malpractice defense work by The Best Lawyers in America and by Southwest Super Lawyers.
Cory Tyszka represents health care providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the areas of medical malpractice, pharmaceutical malpractice, and products liability defense. She has assisted as second-chair in four jury trials since joining Jones, Skelton & Hochuli in 2015, and serves on the Executive Committee for the Maricopa chapter of the Arizona Women Lawyers Association (AWLA).
About Jones, Skelton & Hochuli:
With more than 85 lawyers, Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, P.L.C. (JSH) is the largest and most experienced trial defense law firm in Arizona specializing in insurance and insurance coverage. Our lawyers focus their practice in the defense of corporations, self-insureds, government entities, insurance carriers and medical malpractice carriers. For additional information please visit jshfirm.com or call 602.263.1700.
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