Liposuction Malpractice Lawsuit Verdict of $20M Upheld on Appeal
A $20 million verdict in a wrongful death lawsuit filed over medical malpractice during liposuction surgery has been upheld by a Pennsylvania appeals court.
A Pennsylvania Superior Court panel of judges ruled last month that the decision by a Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas was sound, despite challenges on a number of issues by King of Prussia, Pennsylvania plastic surgeon Richard P. Glunk.
Glunk and a nurse, Edward J. DeStefano, were hit with a $20 million jury award in a liposuction medical malpractice lawsuit filed by the family of Amy Fledderman, an 18-year-old college student who died as a result of complications from an operation he performed in 2001. The verdict included an award of $15 million in punitive damages.
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Learn MoreThe appeals court affirmed a $2 million emotional distress award for Fledderman’s mother, who had to stand by for more than two hours while Glunk allegedly refused to send her daughter to the hospital. The appeals court also determined that it was permissible to use of evidence that showed Glunk’s clinic was not properly licensed at the time. It also rejected the defendants’ argument that the $15 million punitive damages were excessive.
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3 Comments
prinsessaMarch 5, 2012 at 4:08 pm
I have been doing research for a paper I need to write on cosmetic surgery. This doctor's name keeps coming up.. In my opinion, he should try another profession because he is a bad doctor and doesn't seem to be good at what he does.
patDecember 17, 2010 at 4:59 pm
IN an OR surgicenter or in a Hospital there are many safety measures to be undertaken in health care and Surgery. If the facility is not properly licenced, they were not followed. There is no price too high for a lost life. We as consumers of health care need to more careful of selection of our providers than any other selection we make. People think cosmetic surgery is not really surgery. If [Show More]IN an OR surgicenter or in a Hospital there are many safety measures to be undertaken in health care and Surgery. If the facility is not properly licenced, they were not followed. There is no price too high for a lost life. We as consumers of health care need to more careful of selection of our providers than any other selection we make. People think cosmetic surgery is not really surgery. If her mother thought she needed a hospital 911 was definitely an option..
EtotoueDecember 15, 2010 at 9:24 am
I think it is not just to punish health personnel in that sort.However, it is not also permitted to do malpractice,but we are all human beings.