$2 Million Settlement for Complications of Bariatric Surgery

Attorneys Carol Nelson Shepherd and Patricia M. Giordano obtained a $2 million settlement in Philadelphia County in a case arising out of complications of bariatric surgery. The defendants, who hotly disputed the patientís most serious medical claims, were insistent on confidentiality as a term of the settlement.

The case arose when multiple healthcare providers failed to timely recognize a perforation of the small bowel during and after a sleeve gastrectomy. As a result, the patient became critically unstable, developed septic shock and other complications, which the defendants disputed. The patient required intensive medical and surgical care as well as rehabilitation for several months. However, neurologically she continues to exhibit some impairments.

For the two years preceding the surgery, the plaintiff had been disabled due to her obesity and associated medical conditions, but was independent in activities of daily living. She had undergone the surgery hoping it would enable her to return to gainful employment.