MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
Patient awarded $470,000 for unnecessary skin grafts
On June 20, a jury awarded $470,000 to a man who underwent multiple skin grafts on his hands after a doctor failed to diagnose a rare skin disease. Alvin G. Williamson went to Dr. Gary Horndeski for chronic and recurring ulcers and sores on both of his hands. Over two years, the doctor performed about 20 debridements and skin grafts to remove the ulcers. Williamson then sought a second opinion and was diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenosum, a rare non-infectious skin disease that called for nonsurgical treatment. Williamson’s hands are disabled, disfigured and limited in their strength and mobility.
