Our client, an older woman with diabetes, was in need of a total knee replacement. Her orthopedic surgeon elected to proceed with the replacement despite the fact that she had just recovered from an open abdominal wound following a hernia repair. During the following 18 months, our client was repeatedly at her surgeon's office for the treatment of drainage from the surgical wound, pain and weakness. Diagnostic imaging revealed loosening of the components of the artificial knee. Finally, the presence of an infection in and at the artificial knee was recognized but it was too late for conservative treatment. Our client's leg had to be amputated above the knee.

Paul Schweiger settled her case for $480,000.