November 6, 1998
Donald Brown successfully defended a Louisville gastroenterologist after complications followed a gastroscopy. During the procedure, the doctor perforated the patient’s esophagus with the scope. Another surgeon repaired the damage, but the patient died a month later of a myocardial infarction. The Plaintiff alleged the physician used imprudent force during the gastroscopy and that this mistake led the frail patient down the road to death. The defense argued that the doctor performed the exam properly and that the patient died of an unrelated cardiac event. The Jefferson County jury exonerated the physician from liability, awarding no damages.