--- title: Paralysis after misdiagnosis leads to $2.25M settlement description: Paralysis after misdiagnosis leads to $2.25M settlement --- - Search Search Close this search box. - Download Forms - [Make a Payment](https://secure.lawpay.com/pages/ironsandirons/trust) - [(252) 215-3000](tel:252-215-3000) [![Irons and Irons](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/irons-law-logo.png?width=178&height=46&name=irons-law-logo.png)](https://theironslawfirm.com/) - [Personal Injury](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law) - [Auto Accident](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/car-accident) - [Motorcycle Accident](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/motorcycle-accident) - [Nursing Home Abuse](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/nursing-home-abuse) - [Rideshare Accidents](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/rideshare-accidents) - [Slip and Fall](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/slip-and-fall) - [Traumatic Brain Injury](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/brain-injury) - [Truck Accident](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/trucking-accident) - [Wrongful Death](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/wrongful-death) - [Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce) - [Separation Agreements](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/separation-agreements) - [Divorce Options](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/options) - [Absolute Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/absolute) - [Collaborative Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/collaborative) - [High Net Worth Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/high-net-worth) - [Military Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/military-divorce) - [Division of Pensions, 401(k) & Retirement Accounts](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/division-of-pension-and-retirement-accounts) - [Post Separation Support and Alimony](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/support-and-alimony) - [Property Distribution](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/property-distribution) - [5 Critical Questions For Your Initial Consultation](https://theironslawfirm.com/5-consultation-questions) - [Family Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law) - [Child Custody](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-custody) - [Child Custody Modification](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-custody-modification) - [Child Support / Modification](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-support-modification) - [Collaborative Family Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/collaborative-family-law) - [5 Critical Questions For Your Initial Consultation](https://theironslawfirm.com/5-consultation-questions) - [Education Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law) - [East Carolina University/Pitt Community College Disputes](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law/ecu-college-disputes) - [Public And Private School Disputes](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law/school-disputes) - [Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/medical-malpractice) - [Medical Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/medical-malpractice) - [Dental Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/dental-malpractice) - [Pharmaceutical Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/pharmaceutical-malpractice) - Attorneys - [Gib Irons](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/gib-irons) - [Ben G. 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Blog](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com) [Subscribe](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/paralysis-after-misdiagnosis-leads-to-2-25m-settlement#popup-form) ### Subscribe via Email [Medical Malpractice](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/medical-malpractice) # Paralysis after misdiagnosis leads to $2.25M settlement August 08, 2017 Written by: Harry Albritton - Share - Share - Share - [Copy](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/paralysis-after-misdiagnosis-leads-to-2-25m-settlement) Copied the Url By: David Donovan August 3, 2017 North Carolina Lawyers Weekly A 28-year-old Marine veteran who suffered paralysis from the waist down after emergency room doctors failed to diagnose an infection that was compressing the nerves along his spine has reached a $2.25 million confidential settlement, his attorney reports. **Darren Dawson of Dawson & Albritton in Greenville** reports that his client is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan who injured his back when an explosive device detonated under his vehicle while he was traveling in a combat convoy. He was honorably discharged from the Marines, and about 10 months after his return to the U.S. he was in the course of one week admitted to the emergency room of an unidentified hospital three separate times, complaining of severe back pain and urination difficulties. On the third occasion, the client began to experience neurological deficits and onset of paralysis. He was flown to another hospital and diagnosed with an epidural spinal abscess—a collection of pus and germs between the outer covering of the spinal cord and the bones of the spine that causes swelling in the area which compress the spinal nerves—which required immediate decompression surgery. “Unfortunately, the neurosurgeon just got to him too late. Part of our argument was that had they discovered the abscess sooner, he could have been operated on sooner, and avoided paralysis at least in some measure,” Dawson said. “The sooner you get to the operating table, the better the outcome most of the time. But with each passing hour, the prospect of a full recovery lessened.” The client alleged negligence against the first hospital and its ER physicians for failing to diagnose the abscess, arguing that doctors should have ordered an MRI to be taken, and that this would have discovered the abscess. Dawson said that the second hospital did order an MRI taken and was able to quickly diagnose the problem. The defense contended that a spinal epidural abscess is an extremely rare condition and that the patient did not present with the typical risk factors of an abscess patient until the third visit, Dawson said. The settlement was agreed to June 20, but the identities of the parties and the defense attorneys were withheld pursuant to a confidentiality agreement. ### [Harry Albritton](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/author/harry-albritton) Harry H. Albritton, Jr. is a passionate attorney representing victims of negligence and malpractice, with deep roots in eastern North Carolina. A graduate of East Carolina University, he returned to practice law in Pitt County after obtaining his law degree from Ohio Northern University. Throughout his career, he has successfully handled a diverse range of cases, from minor car accidents to multi-million dollar catastrophic injuries, and has been recognized for his legal abilities by Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers. When not practicing law, he prioritizes spending time with his wife and three sons, engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and kayaking. ### Related Posts [Medical Malpractice](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/medical-malpractice) 1 min read #### [Novopen Echo Insulin Delivery Device by Novo Nordisk: Recall - May Crack or Break If Exposed To Certain Chemicals](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/novopen-echo-insulin-delivery-device-by-novo-nordisk-recall-may-crack-or-break-if-exposed-to-certain-chemicals) [Read more](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/novopen-echo-insulin-delivery-device-by-novo-nordisk-recall-may-crack-or-break-if-exposed-to-certain-chemicals) [Medical Malpractice](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/medical-malpractice) 3 min read #### [Does My Case Meet The North Carolina Medical Malpractice Elements?](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/north-carolina-medical-malpractice-elements) [Read more](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/north-carolina-medical-malpractice-elements) [Medical Malpractice](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/medical-malpractice) 2 min read #### [Medical Malpractice Cases in North Carolina: Examples of Malpractice & Compensation Laws](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/medical-malpractice-cases-in-north-carolina) [Read more](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/medical-malpractice-cases-in-north-carolina) [![IRONS & IRONS P.A.](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Irons%20and%20Irons/Pillar-Graphic.png?width=134&height=67&name=Pillar-Graphic.png)](https://theironslawfirm.com/) Irons & Irons P.A. 620 Lynndale Ct Suite A Greenville, NC 27858 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Phone: [252-215-3000](tel:252-215-3000) PRACTICE AREAS - [Personal Injury](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law) - [Medical Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/medical-malpractice) - [Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce) - [Family Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law) - [Education Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law) ATTORNEYS - [Gib Irons](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/gib-irons) - [Ben G. 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