Diane Pradat won a defense verdict in May, 2008, for an orthopaedic surgeon in a lawsuit filed in Rankin County.
The plaintiff alleged that the physician was negligent in the placement of a fixation device in her elbow after she suffered a fracture dislocation of the elbow as a result of a fall from the cab of an 18 wheeler. However, Ms. Pradat established that the placement of the fixation device was warranted based on the fracture location. They also presented evidence that the plaintiff did not go to physical therapy and missed critical appointments with the physician. Additionally, the risks of her not complying with medical advice were fully explained to her prior to the surgery.
The jury took less than 30 minutes to return a verdict in favor of the defendant.