SE HABLA ESPANOL
Free Consultation
1.5 Million Dollar Malpractice Settlement
Wilkes-Barre, PA — On the evening of Friday, March 18, 2022, a Luzerne County Jury awarded a $1.5 Million verdict to a 34-year-old plaintiff of the Law Firm of Scartelli Olszewski, P.C., who suffered an unnecessary amputation.
Jonathan Jacoby, the plaintiff, had his left ring finger amputated by the defendants, Dr. Peter Spohn, M.D., and Hazleton Professional Services d/b/a Lehigh Valley Physician Group – Hazleton, PA.
Dr. Spohn, represented by Patrick Carey of Cipriani & Werner – Scranton, PA, recommended and performed the unnecessary amputation based on a local pathologist preliminary report “favoring” cancer but expressly stating he was sending the specimen out for a determination by an expert in bone pathology. One day after Dr. Spohn performed the amputation of Jacoby’s finger, the expert report confirmed there was no cancer in his finger.
The jury returned a compensatory award of $1.2 million for Jacoby. Because the jury found Dr. Spohn was reckless, the case then proceeded to the punitive damages phase in which the jury awarded an additional $300,000 in punitive damages against Dr. Spohn personally. It is extremely rare to have a punitive damage verdict against a doctor in Pennsylvania.
“I am thrilled to have won this $1.5 million verdict for our client, Jonathan Jacoby,” said Melissa Scartelli. “The defendants refused to accept responsibility and Jonathan now has the justice he deserves and is able to move on with his life.”
With locations in Scranton & Wilkes-Barre, PA, Scartelli Olszewski P.C. handles medical malpractice, personal injury, criminal defense, car crashes, and other complex cases throughout all of Northeast Pennsylvania for over 20 years. For more information, or for a free consultation with our team of attorneys, visit scartelli.com or call us at 570-346-2600.
Small Enough to Care, Large Enough to Win TM www.scartelli.com
Rachel D. Olszewski, an attorney at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C., is a dedicated advocate for clients who have suffered unjust harm. Following the legacy of her esteemed family members, Rachel specializes in personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal defense. She is actively involved in professional associations and serves on the board of the Luzerne County Bar Association Charitable Foundation. Rachel is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olszewskirachel/