Latest news with #LloydBell
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Man's horror ‘locked in' syndrome after error
A young man is now locked in a nightmare after his livelihood was stolen by negligent doctors. Jonathan Buckelew, 34, has been awarded a staggering $75 million (AU $116 million) in damages after multiple physicians failed to diagnose his life-threatening stroke, leaving him paralysed from head to toe for the rest of his life. Jonathan was rushed to North Fulton Hospital on October 26, 2015, after falling unconscious during a chiropractic neck adjustment, New York Post reported. Despite the emergency response, almost every physician who came into contact failed to clock Jonathan's stroke. Their lackadaisical care led the patient in his mid-20s to develop horrific locked-in syndrome, leaving him unable to move or talk despite having full consciousness. 'This case is heartbreaking because Jonathan's paralysis and brain damage were completely avoidable,' said Jonathan's lawyer, Lloyd Bell, in a statement made following the Georgia Court of Appeals' decision to uphold a verdict in their favour last March. 'If the slew of healthcare providers involved in Jonathan's care would have acted according to the standard of care, caught and treated his stroke earlier, and communicated more effectively, Jonathan's life would look entirely different.' The Buckelews sued the chiropractor, the hospital, Dr. Matthew Womack, radiologist James Waldschmidt and neurologist Christopher Nickum for their failure to catch Jonathan's stroke — the rapid treatment of which could have prevented his tragic outcome. A Fulton County state court found Womack and Waldschmidt guilty of malpractice, ordering the former to hand over $40 million. Jonathan was ultimately awarded $29 million in past and future medical expenses and $46 million for pain and suffering, per court documents. Jonathan is now restricted to communication through eye movements and a keypad that he manages to use with his nose. His parents, Jack and Janice, have turned their home into a 24-hour care centre for their debilitated son. 'I really feel like there's no real justice for somebody who lost every aspect of his life,' Jack, told CBS affiliate Atlanta News First. 'He wants to do things, he wants to go places — it just breaks our heart to see him like he is,' the desperate father continued. 'There are some days where he's like 'pull the plug,' so those are the tough days.' Jonathan's counsel has blamed the hospital staff for not following standard procedure. 'The ER doctor saw this patient was having all these signs and symptoms of stroke and never called a stroke alert, and they had policies in place that they were supposed to follow certain protocols to reach the correct diagnosis, and they didn't follow their policies and procedures,' Bell said.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brook (Ptacek) West Joins Bell Law Firm as Trial Attorney
Experienced Medical Malpractice & Catastrophic Injury Attorney Expands Firm's Litigation Team ATLANTA, March 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bell Law Firm, Georgia's leading law firm for victims of medical malpractice and catastrophic injury, proudly announces the addition of Brook (Ptacek) West as its newest trial lawyer. West brings a wealth of experience in medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, and complex litigation, further strengthening the firm's commitment to securing justice for its clients. "We are thrilled to welcome Brook to our team," stated Lloyd Bell, founder of Bell Law Firm. "Her deep knowledge of medical malpractice litigation, combined with her tenacity and passion for client advocacy, makes her a perfect fit for our firm. We know she will be a powerful advocate for our clients and a leader in the legal community." West joins Bell Law Firm from Beasley Allen. During her tenure, she helped recover over $26 million for clients and managed a demanding caseload that included medical malpractice, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases. Before that, West practiced at Finch McCranie, LLP, where she handled a wide range of cases, including traumatic brain injuries, trucking accidents, federal criminal defense, and whistleblower litigation. A Georgia native, West graduated from Georgia State University College of Law with a Pro Bono and Public Service Distinction. Her early legal career included clerking for the Honorable Judge Doris Downs in Fulton County Superior Court and interning with the Fulton County District Attorney's Office under then-ADA Fani Willis. She later contributed to the Department of Justice's monitorship of Volkswagen following the "emissions gate" scandal, gaining valuable experience in government compliance and corporate accountability. Beyond her litigation experience, West is actively engaged in the legal community. She is a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association's LEAD program, a leadership academy for young trial lawyers. Her legal expertise has also been recognized through her selection as a 2025 Super Lawyers Rising Star. "Fighting for those who have suffered due to medical negligence is a responsibility I take to heart," said West. "Bell Law Firm's reputation for excellence and dedication to its clients aligns perfectly with my own values as an advocate. I am honored to be joining a firm that is so deeply committed to achieving justice for those suffering life-altering harm. I look forward to working alongside this team." For more information about Bell Law Firm and its work securing fair and full compensation for medical malpractice and catastrophic injury victims, visit About Bell Law Firm Bell Law Firm is Georgia's leading medical malpractice and catastrophic injury firm. Founded in 1999 by Lloyd Bell, the firm has recovered hundreds of millions for clients and families impacted by medical negligence, including a record $75M verdict, the largest in Georgia history. The firm also achieved a record-breaking $26M verdict against a Columbus hospital and a $15M verdict against the largest healthcare provider in Georgia. In addition to delivering record verdicts, Bell Law Firm was awarded "Personal Injury Litigation Team of the Year" and "Most Innovative Law Firm" by The Daily Report. Lloyd is also the only Georgia attorney in the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group of 100 leading trial attorneys in the United States. For more information, visit or listen to Lloyd's podcast, "Face the Jury." View source version on Contacts MEDIA CONTACT Lauren WattTrevelino/Keller(404) 214-0722 Ext. 116lwatt@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
17-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Brook (Ptacek) West Joins Bell Law Firm as Trial Attorney
Bell Law Firm, Georgia's leading law firm for victims of medical malpractice and catastrophic injury, proudly announces the addition of Brook (Ptacek) West as its newest trial lawyer. West brings a wealth of experience in medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, and complex litigation, further strengthening the firm's commitment to securing justice for its clients. 'We are thrilled to welcome Brook to our team,' stated Lloyd Bell, founder of Bell Law Firm. 'Her deep knowledge of medical malpractice litigation, combined with her tenacity and passion for client advocacy, makes her a perfect fit for our firm. We know she will be a powerful advocate for our clients and a leader in the legal community.' West joins Bell Law Firm from Beasley Allen. During her tenure, she helped recover over $26 million for clients and managed a demanding caseload that included medical malpractice, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases. Before that, West practiced at Finch McCranie, LLP, where she handled a wide range of cases, including traumatic brain injuries, trucking accidents, federal criminal defense, and whistleblower litigation. A Georgia native, West graduated from Georgia State University College of Law with a Pro Bono and Public Service Distinction. Her early legal career included clerking for the Honorable Judge Doris Downs in Fulton County Superior Court and interning with the Fulton County District Attorney's Office under then-ADA Fani Willis. She later contributed to the Department of Justice's monitorship of Volkswagen following the 'emissions gate' scandal, gaining valuable experience in government compliance and corporate accountability. Beyond her litigation experience, West is actively engaged in the legal community. She is a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association's LEAD program, a leadership academy for young trial lawyers. Her legal expertise has also been recognized through her selection as a 2025 Super Lawyers Rising Star. 'Fighting for those who have suffered due to medical negligence is a responsibility I take to heart,' said West. 'Bell Law Firm's reputation for excellence and dedication to its clients aligns perfectly with my own values as an advocate. I am honored to be joining a firm that is so deeply committed to achieving justice for those suffering life-altering harm. I look forward to working alongside this team.' For more information about Bell Law Firm and its work securing fair and full compensation for medical malpractice and catastrophic injury victims, visit About Bell Law Firm Bell Law Firm is Georgia's leading medical malpractice and catastrophic injury firm. Founded in 1999 by Lloyd Bell, the firm has recovered hundreds of millions for clients and families impacted by medical negligence, including a record $75M verdict, the largest in Georgia history. The firm also achieved a record-breaking $26M verdict against a Columbus hospital and a $15M verdict against the largest healthcare provider in Georgia. In addition to delivering record verdicts, Bell Law Firm was awarded 'Personal Injury Litigation Team of the Year' and 'Most Innovative Law Firm' by The Daily Report. Lloyd is also the only Georgia attorney in the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group of 100 leading trial attorneys in the United States. For more information, visit or listen to Lloyd's podcast, ' Face the Jury.' Lauren Watt Trevelino/Keller (404) 214-0722 Ext. 116 [email protected] SOURCE: Bell Law Firm Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/17/2025 09:05 AM/DISC: 03/17/2025 09:05 AM
