Wyoming Man Awarded $10M in Hospital Negligence Lawsuit
ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) — A jury awarded a southwestern Wyoming man $10 million after finding hospital staff negligent in treating arterial blockages in his legs, leading to him having both legs amputated above the knee.
Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County released a statement Friday saying it was disappointed with the verdict.
Attorneys said Darrell Menapace went to the Rock Springs hospital on June 8, 2013 with leg numbness and cramping. The Spence Law Firm said trial testimony found nurses were treating him for diabetes but hadn't read test results showing the arterial blockages. The attorneys argued the nurses might have questioned the doctor's delay in treating the vascular emergency.
Menapace ended up at the University of Utah hospital on June 12 where his legs were amputated due to a lack of circulation.
The doctor settled with Menapace before trial.