Matthew Curtis and Lenore Zakhem of Sommers Schwartz, P.C., obtained a $1,765,255.98 jury verdict for Ashley Schlusler and her husband, Larry Schusler. The plaintiffs claimed Ashley Schlusler suffered nerve damage as a result of improperly performed epidural/intrathecal injections.

Ms. Schlusler was admitted to Bixby Medical Center on July 6, 2015, in early labor. Her labor progressed slowly, and her pain increased. She agreed to an epidural injection, on the recommendation of her obstetrician, after other medication failed to relieve her pain.

Dr. Narayana Bellamkonda, an anesthesiologist, made three attempts to perform the epidural injection. On the first and second attempts, Ms. Schlusler experienced severe shooting pain down the left side of her back, buttocks, and leg. She asked the doctor to stop and make no further attempts. Nevertheless, without her consent, Dr. Bellamkonda made one more unsuccessful attempt at placing the epidural, and then proceeded to perform an intrathecal injection, hitting the same nerve each and every time.

The intrathecal injection was successful and alleviated Ms. Schlusler’s pain. Her baby was delivered via cesarean section without additional complications. However, when the anesthetic wore off, the left side pain and numbness Ms. Schlusler experienced during the injections returned more intensely.

Despite seven months of physical therapy and multiple nerve blocks, she continued to experience severe sharp, shooting pains and numbness from her left lower back through her left foot.  Her injuries have reduced her ability to perform routine daily activities, diminished her quality of life, and negatively impacted her marital relationship. 

The Schluslers filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Bellamkonda and Bixby Anesthesia Associates, PC in Lenawee County Circuit Court. At trial, they presented evidence that Dr. Bellamkonda was negligent in his placement of the epidural, that he negligently made two injection attempts after Ms. Schlusler withdrew her consent, and that his actions constituted medical malpractice.

The jury found that Dr. Bellamkonda and Bixby Anesthesia Associates, P.C., were professionally negligent and that their negligence caused the plaintiffs’ injuries. They awarded Ashley Schlusler $15,256 in past economic damages, $500,000 in past non-economic damages, and $21,739.13 per year for the next 46 years (a total of $999,999.98) in future non-economic damages. They awarded Larry Schlusler $250,000 in damages for loss of consortium. The total verdict was $1,765,255.98. Prior to trial, the Defendants refused to offer any money to settle the case.