Lightfoot Secures Medical Malpractice Defense Verdict on Behalf of Alabama Physician

September 3, 2018

Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC attorneys Mike Bell, JT Thompson and Reid Carpenter have obtained a defense verdict on behalf of an Alabama family practice physician after a five-day trial in Cullman County, Alabama.

The medical malpractice lawsuit was brought by the family of a patient who developed paraplegia and ultimately died due to an undiagnosed thoracic hematoma. It alleged that Lightfoot’s client breached the standard of care by not recognizing signs and symptoms of spinal cord compression in a patient, and not arranging for the appropriate specialist to consult.

The Lightfoot team vigorously defended the case and showed the jury that the thought process and decision-making by the physician was reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances. The jury returned a unanimous defense verdict after just over one hour of deliberation.

“We worked very hard to make sure the jury understood the full context of the decision-making by our client,” said Thompson. “Being a physician is tough. Our client’s thought process and decisions, as the events played out in real time, were sound and appropriate under all applicable medical standards. We are very pleased to have secured a jury verdict that confirms the reasonableness of our client’s clinical judgment.”

Bell’s litigation career spans more than 30 years. He has defended clients in a wide range of matters, including those involving medical malpractice, product liability, commercial litigation, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and class actions.

With 16 years of practice, Thompson defends health care providers in medical malpractice matters, media outlets in First Amendment disputes, and corporations in personal injury and product liability cases.

Carpenter maintains a general litigation practice, and his focus includes the defense of product manufacturers, healthcare providers and natural gas utilities.