Former Philadelphia Eagles captain Chris Maragos was successful in his medical malpractice lawsuit for treatment of his knee injury.
The lawsuit was filed against the following: James Bradley, M.D.; UPMC Community Medicine, Inc., and Reconstructive Orthopaedic Associates II, P.C. Dr. Bradley is an orthopedic surgeon based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with an association to UPMC. UPMC is a health care provider and insurer, also based in Pittsburgh. Reconstructive Orthopaedic Associates II is an affiliate of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. Dr. Bradly is not affiliated with Reconstructive Orthopaedic Associates.
A Philadelphia jury has found that the defendants must pay $43.5 million. Reconstructive Orthopaedic Associates was found liable for 33% of the verdict.
The lawsuit stemmed from treatment that Maragos received after his right knee was injured during an NFL game in 2017. The injury was purportedly diagnosed as a torn right knee posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).
Two law firms, Meyers & Flowers and The Beasley Firm, represented Maragos at trial. Meyers & Flowers issued a press release on the verdict. Per the press release, the case “revolved around a meniscus tear that Maragos’ medical team failed to treat and the medically negligent decision to advance his rehab, further damaging the knee.”
The Meyers & Flowers press release came out shortly after the Superbowl. In the press release, Maragos commented, “On Sunday, my team played the Superbowl, and I could only watch and wonder whether I could have been out there with him [them] had I received proper medical care.”
Maragos continued, “While I live in constant pain and will never get back on the field, I hope this decision sends a message to teams’ medical staffs that players are people, not just contracts.”
The jury may have reached its verdict, but the matter is still ongoing. Reconstructive Orthopaedic Associates has filed a number of motions for post-trial relief. Reconstructive Orthopaedic Associates is asking for post-trial relief with regard to the jury’s verdict. According to court documents, Reconstructive Orthopaedic Associates is asking the court to “grant post-trial relief in the form of a judgment notwithstanding the verdict, a new trial, a new trial on damages, or a substantial remittitur of the jury’s manifestly excessive verdict.”
OTW will continue to follow this matter.
