Life Tips 24/06/2025 00:40

Doctors overlooked a patient's life-thr3atening stroke, leading to horr!fic "locked-in" syndrome in a "completely avoidable" outcome

Patient’s life-threatening stroke overlooked by doctors leads to horrific ‘locked-in’ syndrome: ‘Completely avoidable’
Man Wins $75 Million After Doctors Miss Stroke That Left Him Fully Paralyzed
A young man’s life was irreversibly shattered after multiple doctors failed to diagnose a critical stroke — a tragic oversight that has now led to a $75 million legal judgment in his favor.
Jonathan Buckelew, now 34, was left completely paralyzed — suffering from a rare condition known as locked-in syndrome — after physicians repeatedly failed to recognize and respond to his stroke symptoms in time.
Jonathan was rushed to North Fulton Hospital on October 26, 2015, after he lost consciousness during a chiropractic neck adjustment. Despite the emergency situation, nearly every healthcare provider involved in his care failed to recognize the warning signs of a stroke. The missteps resulted in devastating brain damage, leaving Jonathan mentally aware but physically immobilized — unable to speak or move, though fully conscious.

“This is one of the most tragic examples of preventable harm I’ve ever seen,” said Lloyd Bell, Jonathan’s attorney, following the Georgia Court of Appeals' decision to uphold the original malpractice ruling.

“Had the medical team followed basic standards of care, recognized the symptoms, and taken swift action, Jonathan’s condition could have been entirely avoided,” Bell added.

Medical Negligence With Catastrophic Consequences
The Buckelew family filed suit against the chiropractor, the hospital, and three key physicians: Dr. Matthew Womack, radiologist James Waldschmidt, and neurologist Christopher Nickum. Their failure to diagnose and treat the stroke in a timely manner is what led to Jonathan’s condition, according to the complaint.
A Fulton County jury found Dr. Womack and Waldschmidt guilty of medical malpractice, ordering Womack to pay $40 million. According to court documents, Jonathan was awarded $29 million to cover both past and future medical expenses, along with $46 million for his immense pain and suffering.
Now living with locked-in syndrome, Jonathan can only communicate using eye movements and a specially adapted keypad that he operates with his nose.
A Family’s Life Turned Upside Down
Jonathan’s parents, Jack and Janice Buckelew, have taken on the role of full-time caregivers, converting their home into a round-the-clock care facility for their son.

“It’s hard to even describe how painful it is,” Jack told Atlanta News First.
“Jonathan wants to be active, he wants to travel — and it’s heartbreaking to see him like this.”

“There are days when he says, ‘Just pull the plug.’ Those are the days that really tear us apart,” he said.

A Breakdown in Protocol
According to Bell, the failure stemmed from a breakdown in communication and failure to follow established emergency protocols.

“The ER doctor was presented with classic signs of a stroke, yet never activated a stroke alert,” Bell said.
“There were clear procedures in place designed to ensure a timely and accurate diagnosis — but those were completely disregarded.”

This case serves as a sobering reminder of the life-altering consequences that can result from lapses in medical care. For Jonathan Buckelew and his family, the legal victory offers some measure of accountability — but not the life he once knew.

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