Georgia Nursing Home Negligence: Woman Awarded $47M After Untreated Donkey Bite Leads to Double Amputation

Anna Giacomi v. Union General Hospital Inc. d/b/a Union County Nursing Home et al

Case Overview

In 2017, Anna Giacomi filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Union General Hospital Inc., operating as Union County Nursing Home, alleging that medical negligence following a donkey attack led to her deteriorating condition and ultimately required a double amputation.

The case was filed in the Superior Court of Union County, Georgia, with Judge James E. “Jim” Cornwell Jr. presiding. [Case Number: SUCV2017000365]

Cause

In November 2015, after sustaining injuries to her left arm and hand while feeding a donkey, Anna Giacomi sought treatment at Blairsville’s Union County Nursing Home for rehabilitation.

Dr. James Heaton, then the director of the nursing home, oversaw her care following her transfer from Northeast Georgia Medical Center, where she had initially been admitted for wounds from the donkey attack, according to court records.

Giacomi’s complaint states that she developed a severe infection in her left arm and leg. While staff at the nursing home noticed the infection, Dr. Heaton allegedly failed to evaluate her in time. Despite clear warning signs—including excessive drainage, a foul odor, and her foot turning green—healthcare providers at the nursing home and Union General Hospital purportedly waited nearly seven days before consulting a surgeon. The delay led to a flesh-eating bacterial infection, ultimately requiring the amputation of her arm and leg.

Damages

The lawsuit claimed that Giacomi endured seven days without proper medical intervention, resulting in severe and lasting consequences. She experienced, and would continue to experience, significant daily challenges due to her injuries. She sought compensation for the double amputation, which she argued could have been prevented with timely and appropriate medical care.

Jury Verdict

On July 30, the jury issued its initial verdict, concluding that medical malpractice had occurred. A second verdict, delivered on August 5, addressed negligent credentialing.

As part of their ruling, jurors awarded Giacomi $47 million for past and future pain and suffering, according to court records.

The jury apportioned liability as follows: 5% to Union General Hospital for medical malpractice by multiple employees, 45% to Union General Hospital for negligently credentialing Dr. James Heaton, 45% to Heaton personally, and the remaining 5% to Dr. Janaki Narravula.

Although Heaton and Narravula were not named as Defendants in the case, the jury still assigned them fault. Under Georgia law, jurors can attribute responsibility to nonparties, ensuring Defendants are only held liable for their specific share of the harm.

Delayed C-Section Results in $17M Birth Injury Settlement

Jenna Doucette et al. vs. Dr. Abdulla Al-Khan et al

Case Overview

On July 8, 2022, plaintiff Jenna Doucette filed a medical malpractice and birth injury lawsuit in the Ocean County Superior Court, New Jersey (Case No. L00259121), with Judge Joseph P. Quinn presiding.

Cause

Shea Doucette, now four years old, was diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and cerebral palsy due to an alleged birth injury. During her pregnancy, her mother, Jenna Doucette, was diagnosed with placenta percreta, a severe form of placenta accreta spectrum. She sought specialized care from Dr. Abdulla Al-Khan at The Center for Abnormal Placentation at Hackensack University Medical Center.

On March 8, 2020, just days before her scheduled cesarean section on March 11, Jenna suffered a massive uterine rupture and placental abruption. This emergency led to an urgent C-section, during which Shea was deprived of oxygen at birth, resulting in severe brain damage and lifelong cerebral palsy. Jenna also endured life-threatening complications, including massive internal bleeding, requiring multiple blood transfusions and intensive care in the ICU.

Damages

Shea Doucette’s birth injury resulted in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and cerebral palsy, permanently impacting her motor function and cognitive abilities. Meanwhile, Jenna experienced severe medical complications, including extensive blood loss, multiple transfusions, and a prolonged ICU stay.

The Doucette family has faced immense emotional and financial challenges, requiring extensive medical care, specialized therapies, and long-term accommodations to support Shea’s condition.

Jury Verdict

On January 3, 2025, the parties reached a $17 million settlement in Shea Doucette’s birth injury lawsuit, securing financial support for her lifelong medical care, therapies, and necessary accommodations.

Medical Negligence: New Mexico Hospital Ordered to Pay $16.75 Million After Leaving 13-Inch Retractor in Patient for Two Months

Michelle Torma v. Presbyterian Healthcare Services, et al

Case Overview

On October 29, 2021, Plaintiff  Michelle Torma filed a medical malpractice and medical negligence lawsuit in the New Mexico State, Albuquerque District Court (Case number: D-202-CV-202106274 ). Judge  Denise Barela-Shepherd presided over this case.

Cause

On January 29, 2019, surgical staff at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, performed a complex procedure on Michelle Torma to remove a 75-pound benign tumor. The operation, led by Dr. Karen Finkelstein, a gynecologic oncologist with Southwest Women’s Oncology, involved the use of a 13-inch by 2-inch metal retractor. While the surgery was life-saving, the surgical team accidentally left the retractor inside Torma's abdomen.

Following the procedure, Torma experienced ongoing abdominal pain, nausea, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. A CT scan on March 28, 2019—58 days after the surgery—revealed the presence of the forgotten retractor. Dr. Finkelstein, who performed the initial operation, also conducted a second surgery to remove the instrument.

Presbyterian Healthcare Services later stated that Dr. Finkelstein was an independent provider rather than a hospital employee. In 2021, Torma filed a medical negligence lawsuit against Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Southwest Women’s Oncology, and Dr. Finkelstein.

Damages

Torma’s attorneys sought over $45 million for medical negligence, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other associated harms in a medical negligence lawsuit.

Jury Verdict

On January 13, 2025, the jury rendered a substantial verdict in favor of Michelle Torma, awarding her $16.75 million in damages. This included $15 million in punitive damages against Presbyterian Healthcare Services, the largest healthcare provider in New Mexico. Additionally, the jury awarded $1.75 million in compensatory damages to address Torma’s pain, suffering, and other losses. Presbyterian Healthcare Services was deemed responsible for 99% of the compensatory damages, with Southwest Women’s Oncology assigned 1%.