Business & Tech

Winthrop Sued for $62M by Double Amputee Patient

Stacey Galette awarded amount for alleged malpractice at Mineola hospital in October 2009.

A Brooklyn woman was recently awarded $62 million following a lawsuit against Winthrop-University Hospital in Brooklyn Supreme Court over an alleged wrongful gynecological procedure that cost her both her legs and most of her hearing.

Stacey Galette, 34, was a patient at the Mineola hospital for laparoscopic removal of an ectopic pregnancy, or a pregnancy outside of the womb, in October 2009, when, according to the suit, doctors punctured her intestine during the routine procedure and that caused an infection followed blood poisoning and gangrene in her legs, causing severe pain and for them to be amputated three days after she was discharged.

Galette, who is a divorced mother of a 13-year old daughter, now utilizes a wheelchair and has been fitted with two prosthetic legs after the amputation.

The suit charges doctors Paul Byrne, Frederic Moon and Cynthia Fretwell with the malpractice.

“I’m just happy justice was served,” Galette said according to a report in the New York Daily news. “I’m not able to walk.”

Jurors deliberated for three days before awarding Galette $20 million for past pain and suffering, plus $38 million for future pain and suffering and an additional $4 million plus interest for her medical expenses.

Winthrop has said that they would appeal the ruling and the amount of the damages.


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