Dead Woman Wins Law Suit Against Hospital

At Forrest General Hospital, in Hattiesburg, MS, A woman whose leg had to be amputated following knee replacement surgery won a medical malpractice suit against the hospital.

Jessie Lee Johnson was awarded damages totaling $579,789.54. This was after her death.

Jessie Lee Johnson, of Columbia, MS, had knee replacement surgery in August 1998 at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, MS. She was then transferred to the rehabilitation unit. Johnson was 69 years old.

An aide was taking Johnson to the restroom on Sept. 7, 1998 in a wheelchair. The aide backed the wheelchair into the restroom after removing the left foot rest. This was according to the lawsuit.

The aide began pushing Johnson and the wheelchair out of the bathroom. Johnson's foot got caught under the wheelchair, and this caused her knee to be dislocated.

Additional surgeries were required, and another knee replacement. She then took an infection which brought on the amputation of the left leg above the knee.

Jennifer Ingram Wilkinson represented Johnson, and was pleased with the verdict. The final judgment is pending resolution of other issues.

In 1999 this lawsuit was filed, but the verdict was not handed down until April 14, 2010. Forrest County Circuit Judge Robert Helfrich recused himself, so Judge Dale Harkey from Pascagoula was the Circuit Judge in the case.

" http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20100501/NEWS01/5010329/Woman-wins-suit-against-hospital