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Science Knowledge 27/05/2025 22:29

Teacher Awarded $70 Million After Losing Both Legs Due to Medical Malpractice in Landmark Georgia Case

A decade after undergoing bilateral leg amputations caused by alleged medical negligence, Georgia teacher Jessica Powell has secured a $70 million verdict in one of the state’s largest medical malpractice lawsuits.
In a groundbreaking medical malpractice case that spanned over a decade, Jessica Powell, a 40-year-old teacher from Georgia, has been awarded $70 million in damages after losing both legs due to alleged negligent care at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany.

Woman wins $70,000,000 payout after she collapsed at home and woke up with both legs amputated

The tragedy began in March 2013 when Jessica, then 28, collapsed at home, suffering from a hormone deficiency disease complicated by a stomach virus. Emergency responders rushed her to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, where she was diagnosed with sepsis and shock—a critical condition characterized by dangerously low blood pressure requiring immediate intervention.

According to court documents reviewed by the Union-Bulletin, the medical team’s handling of her condition involved administering Vasopressin, a drug used to raise blood pressure, at a dose exceeding the maximum recommended limit by two and a half times for over 40 hours. This alleged overdose is central to the lawsuit, as it is believed to have precipitated the severe complications that led to Jessica’s legs being amputated above the knee.

Jessica’s legal action targeted physicians Joe Morgan, James Palazzolo, and Thomas Ungarino, alongside Albany Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates and Albany Vascular Specialist Center. All defendants denied any malpractice.

A woman filed a lawsuit after both of her legs were amputated (Getty Stock)

After 12 years of legal proceedings, the jury reached a swift verdict on April 23, 2025, deciding in favor of Jessica with an award totaling $70 million, marking one of the most substantial medical malpractice awards in Georgia’s history. The jury deliberated for only 30 minutes before delivering their decision.

Matt Cook, lead attorney for Jessica Powell from Cook Law Group LLC, emphasized the clarity of the case: “That should tell you everything you need to know about who was right.” He added, “The verdict came as no surprise because we knew from day one that our client was clearly mistreated by her physicians. What drove the result was just the repeated denials and unwillingness to accept responsibility in the face of overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing.”

Jessica Powell, now 40, has been awarded $70 million in damages (Facebook)

Jessica’s case illuminates the grave risks involved in the administration of critical care drugs and raises pressing questions about patient safety protocols in hospitals. Vasopressin, while lifesaving when correctly dosed, can cause severe side effects and tissue damage if administered improperly, potentially resulting in limb ischemia and necessitating amputation.
Despite the jury’s verdict, legal representatives for the defendants issued a statement maintaining their stance: “The physicians acted appropriately under extraordinarily difficult circumstances, and we respectfully disagree with the jury’s verdict and any notion that these respected physicians failed to meet the standard of care. Unfortunately, the resulting bilateral above-the-knee amputations, while devastating, were an unavoidable consequence of the life-saving treatment provided.”

Jessica Powell’s journey from a healthy teacher to a patient grappling with life-altering amputations underscores the critical need for meticulous drug administration and rigorous oversight in medical emergencies. The scale of the award serves both as compensation and a stark warning to healthcare providers.

Brief Biography of the Main Characters:
Jessica Powell
A former teacher from Georgia, Jessica was 28 when she suffered severe medical complications that led to bilateral leg amputations. Her determination over 12 years to seek justice highlights her resilience and courage. She is now 40 years old and has become an advocate for patient safety awareness.
Matt Cook
Lead counsel representing Jessica Powell, Matt Cook is a seasoned attorney at Cook Law Group LLC specializing in medical malpractice and personal injury litigation. His commitment to holding healthcare providers accountable was instrumental in achieving the landmark verdict.
Doctors Joe Morgan, James Palazzolo, and Thomas Ungarino
Physicians named in the malpractice suit, they were part of the medical team responsible for Jessica’s care at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. They deny any wrongdoing and argue that the amputations were an unavoidable outcome of necessary medical interventions.

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