New York residents may be interested in a lawsuit recently filed in the aftermath of the Perez v. Abdusalamov boxing match Nov. 2, at Madison Square Garden. The fight, highly anticipated and televised on HBO, ended in a 10-round unanimous decision for Perez at 10:51 p.m. Abdusalamov had suffered a broken jaw, nose and hand. After the fight, he complained of head pain and was examined by boxing commission doctors, who administered a neurological exam. He was cleared and told to follow up with a doctor in a day or two.
After the exam, an athletic commission inspector noticed blood in the fighter’s urine sample. He told the boxer’s handlers to take Abdusalamov to a hospital by taxi even though two ambulances were standing by. Abdusalamov needed assistance to dress, complained of feeling faint and vomited as he sat on a curb while attempts were made to flag a taxi. As they arrived in a taxi and not an ambulance, the emergency room staff told them that they would need to wait before being seen. The fighter’s manager even tried calling 911 from the waiting room. However, the hospital admitted him at 12:30 a.m.
Abdusalamov was quickly taken to surgery for removal of blood clots in his brain that had caused increased intracranial pressure and strokes. He lay in a coma for weeks after. Because the time lag between the injury and treatment resulted in extensive brain damage, doctors do not hold out much hope for full recovery.
Even in cases of inherently dangerous activities, medical doctors are held to a standard of action and care. When injury or disability results from medical malpractice or negligence, compensation for damages may help cover medical and family expenses. An lawyer with experience in medical malpractice may help a family understand complicated medical and legal situations such as this one.
Source: ABC, “Injured boxer’s family plans lawsuit“, William Weinbaum, John Barr, February 21, 2014
