Man who had four limbs amputated files medical malpractice lawsuit

A California man has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit alleging that his arms and legs were amputated after doctors failed to diagnose an infection that was treatable with antibiotics.

Robert Downey lost his limbs as a result of methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus, or MSSA, the suit alleges. It is related to the sometimes deadly MRSA infection, but it is treatable with antibiotics if caught early enough.

Downey, 48, began his medical ordeal in mid 2011 when he and his wife took their son, 11, to Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento to treat a sore. The boy was diagnosed with MRSA, given antibiotics and soon recovered, according to the Sacramento Bee newspaper.

But a few weeks later, Downey developed a sore that was similar to his son's. He saw the same physician's assistant who had treated his son. No tests were taken, but he was given oral antibiotics.

The sore didn't heal and Downey returned to twice more until a different physician's assistant diagnosed the growing pain in his shoulder as bursitis.

Downey collapsed at his home two days later and began surgeries that eventually took his arms and his legs.

Similar medical malpractice cases involving methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus, or MSSA, have been successfully litigated across the nation, including in Pennsylvania.

If you believe you or a loved one have undergone an amputation as a result of medical malpractice or a personal injury, please contact our amputation experts at Ross Feller Casey to determine if you have a potential lawsuit.

Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Ross Feller Casey have extensive experience litigating amputation cases. Some of the noteworthy cases include:

•    $51 million verdict in Philadelphia against SEPTA for a boy whose foot was torn off in an escalator.
•    $23.1 million verdict for a woman who lost both her legs as a result of medical negligence.
•    $20.8 million verdict in Philadelphia for a podiatrist who had to have her foot amputated because of misdiagnosis of a bloodstream infection.
•    $8 million Pennsylvania recovery for an amputation injury in a factory accident.
•    $4 million recovery for a man who suffered an amputation as a result of a workplace accident.