The family of a Russian heavyweight boxer is planning a lawsuit on behalf of the man. The boxer is suffering from brain damage, and the family believes that negligence and medical malpractice on the part of the state of New York led to the condition. The family filed a lawsuit in the amount of $100 million against the state of New York and the state athletic commission.
The former boxer underwent emergency brain surgery after a Nov. 2, 2013, fight to tend to a large blood clot that was found via a CT scan at 12:50 a.m. on Nov. 3. This was just a few hours after he finished a boxing match at Madison Square Garden. The man was later admitted to and is recovering from the surgery at a suburban rehabilitation facility. As of the time of the report, it was not yet known if he would ever be able to walk or talk again.
According to the report, a post-fight exam of the Russian boxer was done. The doctors treated the man’s broken left hand, examined his broken nose and stitched a gash that was above his eye, but they did not know that the man’s brain had started bleeding. They told the man that he should see a doctor within a day or two rather than immediately, though the doctor who was present at the time had previously edited a book that recommended emergency medical treatment for boxers who suffer severe lacerations.
In similar cases, an attorney might determine the extent of immediate treatment and whether there was any negligence. If potentially fatal conditions are detected immediately, it may be possible to prevent long-term damage. However, if any signs of a dangerous condition are ignored, this might form the basis of any legal action.
Source: ABC News, “Injured boxer’s family plans lawsuit“, William Weinbaum and John Barr, February 21, 2014
