Couple awarded $11.2 million over botched surgery

Steve Wilson, Goshen News, Ind.
·2 min read

Feb. 4—GOSHEN — A Michigan couple won $11.2 million in a lawsuit against an Elkhart County doctor following a week-long trial.

An Elkhart County Superior Court 2 jury awarded $6.2 million to Mychajlo ("Mike") Hajdaj and another $5 million to Lidia Hajdaj, of Cassopolis, Michigan, according to a news release from La Porte law firm Newby Lewis Kaminski & Jones, LLP. The Hajdajs were represented by attorney Nick Otis.

The verdict is against Dr. James Shoemaker, an emergency room physician, and his employer, Elkhart Emergency Physicians Inc.

The verdict was verified by a document from Elkhart County Superior Court 2.

Mychajlo ("Mike") Hajdaj's right leg was amputated above the knee when an emergency room physician failed to identify and diagnose critical limb ischemia (lack of blood flow) in his right leg in January 2015, causing delayed treatment that ultimately resulted in the man's right leg above-the-knee amputation.

According to court records, Mr. Hajdaj arrived at the Elkhart General Hospital emergency room Jan. 5, 2015, complaining of pain and numbness below the knee in his right leg. He had two prior artery bypass graft surgeries and two additional procedures to address narrowing or blockages of his arteries.

"Despite this medical history, Dr. James Shoemaker suspected Mr. Hajdaj may have a blood clot in his veins and ordered a test solely to rule out a blood clot in Mr. Hajdaj's veins in the right leg," the release stated. "The test showed no blood clot in Mr. Hajdaj's right leg veins and Dr. Shoemaker discharged Mr. Hajdaj home without ordering any tests on Mr. Hajdaj's arteries."

Hours later Hajdaj was back in the Elkhart General Hospital ER with worsening pain, numbness, and a cold foot. Proceedures were performed, but Hajdaj's right leg had to be amputated above the knee approximately two weeks later.

"During the trial Mr. Hajdaj, now 81 years old, testified that he wouldn't trade his leg for $10 million dollars," the release stated. "The jury clearly agreed."

An emergency room physician and a vascular surgeon testified that Mr. Hajdaj's right leg would have been saved if Dr. Shoemaker ordered the appropriate tests during the first ER visit.

A phone call to Elkhart Emergency Physicians was not returned as of press time.

Steve Wilson is news editor for The Goshen News. You can reach him at steve.wilson@goshennews.com.