Another Medical Malpractice Defense Verdict for Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial

Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial scored another defense verdict on April 11, 2006, when Partner Bob Tanner successfully defended Dr. Steven Mann, M.D., in a medical malpractice case filed in the Superior Court of Henry County.

The events leading to the claim of professional negligence began on January 15, 2001, when a patient arrived at the Spalding Regional Hospital emergency room in Griffen, Georgia, exhibiting symptoms suggestive of an evolving stroke. His symptoms were, however, complicated by a massive hemorrhoid. The attending physicians recommended surgery to correct this problem and the patient elected to have that surgery. It was claimed that the patient was too ill to withstand surgery; unfortunately, he subsequently suffered a stroke and died following surgery.

The plaintiff’s family sued the entire medical team; Mr. Tanner represented the anesthesiologist and engaged the testimony of a senior professor of the Anesthesiology Department at the Medical College of Georgia. This witness opined that it was reasonable on the part of the anesthesiology team to facilitate the surgery.

Plaintiff’s counsel had demanded $500,000 prior to trial; defense counsel made no counter offer. After eight days of trial, the jury returned a defense verdict exonerating the anesthesiologist, as well as the other physicians, from any professional negligence.