WellStar Douglas Hospital complaint alleges misread x-ray missed knee dislocation before leg amputation
The complaint alleges that a WellStar Douglas Hospital emergency physician and a radiologist did not diagnose a knee dislocation. It was shown on an x-ray taken after a fall. The radiologist reported no acute fracture or dislocation, and the physician relied on that reading and discharged the patient in a leg brace. Two days later the patient returned with worsening pain and was found to have a knee dislocation and a popliteal artery injury. He was transferred for emergency revascularization, which failed, and he underwent a right through-knee amputation. The complaint alleges that timely diagnosis and treatment more likely than not would have prevented the amputation.
Overview
This page concerns a public complaint alleging that an emergency physician and a radiologist did not diagnose a knee dislocation on an x-ray. The delay preceded a leg amputation.
Chronology
The complaint alleges as follows:
- The patient presented to the WellStar Douglas Hospital emergency department around 2:50 a.m. on May 27, 2017 with right knee pain after a fall.
- Dr. Segal ordered knee x-rays, and Dr. Tumkur, a radiologist, read them as showing no acute fracture or dislocation.
- At least one of the three x-ray images showed the knee was dislocated.
- Dr. Segal relied on that reading. The complaint says he did view, or should have viewed, the images himself. He placed the patient in a leg brace and told him to follow up within days.
- He returned to the emergency department on May 29, 2017 with worsening pain and a knee dislocation with a popliteal artery injury.
- He was transferred emergently to WellStar Cobb Hospital on May 30, 2017 for attempted revascularization, which failed, and he underwent a right through-knee amputation.
Alleged failures
The complaint alleges the following failures:
- Dr. Tumkur did not identify or report the knee dislocation visible on the May 27, 2017 x-ray.
- Dr. Segal did not diagnose and treat the knee dislocation on May 27, 2017. The complaint says he did view, or should have viewed, the images himself.
- The complaint alleges that timely diagnosis and treatment more likely than not would have prevented the amputation.
- The complaint pleads negligence and gross negligence against both physicians and vicarious liability against their corporate co-defendants. It also cites O.C.G.A. § 9-11-9.1(b), attaching an affidavit from plaintiff’s counsel rather than an expert.