Case Result: Jury Finds Prison Physician Assistant Not Liable for Deliberate Indifference to ‘Broken Hand Symptoms’

Areas of Law:
42 USC § 1983 — Deliberate Indifference
Correctional Healthcare

Venue:
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Verdict:
No cause of action as to our client, the physician assistant

Details:
A pro se prisoner alleged that our client, the physician assistant, was deliberately indifferent to “broken hand symptoms” when treating a bite wound on the prisoner’s hand.

The physician assistant saw the prisoner again at a later date, at which time the prisoner complained of ongoing pain. The physician assistant ordered an X-ray, which revealed a fracture. The physician assistant, an expert correctional medicine physician, and other witnesses testified to not seeing any sign of a fracture at the time of the initial visit.

Despite finding several nurses liable and entering a small judgment against them, a federal jury found in favor of the physician assistant and issued a No Cause of Action verdict.

Disclaimer:
This information is a sample of our past results. Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results. Every case is different and each case must be evaluated and handled on its own merits. The circumstances of your case may differ from the results provided. The information provided has not been reviewed or approved by the State Bar.