Court of Appeals in Georgia Upholds Large Compensation in "Locked-in Syndrome" Litigation
Georgia's $40 Million Malpractice Verdict: A Powerful Message to Emergency Rooms Nationwide 🚑❌⌛️💰
In an groundbreaking decision, the Peach State's Court of Appeals has locked down a landmark verdict against Dr. Matthew Womack, an emergency room physician at North Fulton Hospital. This historic ruling affirming a massive $40 million medical malpractice judgment against Dr. Womack sends a loud and clear message to healthcare providers across the nation:** when lives are on the line in high-pressure emergency rooms, they better meet the standards of care expected by their patients. 🤕👩⚕️🏥
This judgement stems from the life-altering disaster of Jonathan Buckelew, a 32-year-old man left in a state of utter despair after suffering a catastrophic brain stem stroke. Tragically, the stroke was a direct consequence of a chiropractic neck adjustment in October 2015 - yet, when Buckelew presented to North Fulton Hospital’s emergency department in dire need of immediate medical intervention, critical delays in diagnosis and treatment led to Buckelew developing "locked-in syndrome," a heart-rending condition that left him fully conscious but completely unable to speak or move except for minimal eye movement. 😰💔
During the 2022 trial, the jury found Dr. Womack and the hospital's radiologist guilty of gross negligence, apportioning an astounding 60% of the blame to Dr. Womack alone. The jury unanimously awarded Buckelew $75 million in damages, with an astonishing $40 million assigned to Dr. Womack's account of liability. In March 2025, the appellate court upheld this verdict in its entirety, dismissing Dr. Womack's appeal challenges to the trial court's decisions and affirming that his actions constituted gross negligence. 🤝🏦💰
"This ruling is more than just a victory for Jonathan Buckelew and his family," said Lloyd Bell, founding partner of the Bell Law Firm, and co-counsel in the Buckelew case alongside co-lead attorney Laura Shamp. "It signifies that emergency room physicians must be held accountable when their missteps lead to catastrophic harm."
This case sheds light on the paramount importance of rapid and accurate stroke diagnosis in emergency medicine. The jury and the appellate court both recognized that if Dr. Womack had disseminated essential clinical findings and sought the expert advice of a neurologist in a timely manner, Buckelew's prognosis could have been drastically different. 💡🏥🤕
For more gripping details of the Buckelew case, you can consult the following resources:- Jack Buckelew's Podcast Interview- Buckelew, et al v. Womack, et al Case Information- Bell Law Firm's Crusade for Medical Malpractice Victims
Sources:- [1] Georgia Court of Appeals Opinion ($XXX Op. No. X, S18A1122)- [2] Law.com's reporting (
The historic court decision, made by the Peach State's Court of Appeals, emphasizes the significance of adhering to standards of care in emergency rooms, especially in situations involving medical-conditions such as strokes, as demonstrated through the $40 million malpractice verdict against Dr. Matthew Womack. This ruling, backed by health-and-wellness advocates, underscores the importance of swift and accurate diagnosis and treatment in emergency settings.
