Mario Maldonado vs. Timothy Snelson, MD, and Mayo Clinic Health System-Fairmont

Case Background

On March 23, 2023, Plaintiff Mario Maldonado filed a Medical malpractice lawsuit in the Minnesota State, District Court of Martin County (Case number: 46-CV-23-220). Judge Darci J.  Bentz presided over the case.

Cause

On October 13, 2017, Mario Maldonado, an elite high school athlete, sustained a severe tibia/fibula fracture during a Friday night football game. The following morning, Dr. Corey Welchlin performed intramedullary tibial nailing surgery at Mayo Clinic Health System-Fairmont. Dr. Welchlin noted no complications after completing the surgery at 9:53 a.m. Before Mario’s discharge, he educated Mario and his mother on compartment syndrome, warning them about symptoms such as sudden, excruciating pain that would not be controlled by narcotic medication.

Despite Mario and his mother expressing serious concerns about his uncontrolled pain, Dr. Welchlin discharged him at 17:38 CDT. Hospital staff denied Mario’s request to remain hospitalized until Sunday, stating they could not reach Dr. Welchlin and could not override his discharge orders. Within hours of arriving home, Mario experienced extreme pain, which caused him to punch walls and cry uncontrollably, even while taking his prescribed narcotic medication.

At 3:54 a.m. on Sunday, October 15, Mario’s mother brought him to the Mayo Health System Emergency Room. Dr. Timothy Snelson examined him but did not remove his bandages, perform proper tests for compartment syndrome, or consult Dr. Welchlin. Despite Mario’s pain level remaining at 6 out of 10 after two doses of Dilaudid, Dr. Snelson discharged him.

In the following months, Mario made multiple visits to Fairmont Orthopedics. PA Timothy Soelter and Dr. Welchlin repeatedly dismissed concerns of compartment syndrome. Medical records incorrectly stated that Mario had not been evaluated by any outside providers, despite his emergency room visit. It wasn’t until January 2, 2018, that PA Soelter acknowledged a “missed compartment syndrome.”

Injuries

A second opinion at Tria Orthopedics Center by Dr. Marc Swiontkowski revealed significant anterior and posterior compartment atrophy and diminished sensation in the foot’s dorsum. Electrodiagnostic testing on December 12, 2019, confirmed complete peroneal and tibial nerve dysfunction below the knee, with muscle fibers replaced by fibrous tissue.

On May 11, 2020, Dr. J. Chris Coetzee performed a complete revision surgery and discovered multiple surgical errors by Dr. Welchlin:

  • The intramedullary rod was too long.
  • A guidewire had penetrated the ankle joint and talus.
  • Significant malunion had occurred due to improper leg positioning.
  • Failure to use interlocking screws

These combined errors resulted in severe, permanent impairment of Mario’s lower extremity functionality.

Damages

Mario faces a high likelihood of requiring a below-knee amputation. He lost potential college sports scholarships and suffers from severe anxiety and depression. He requires ongoing medical care, including potential future prostheses. His mother, Susan Moscoffian-Sigala, has incurred significant expenses and lost wages due to caring for Mario, along with losing his services, comfort, and companionship. The plaintiffs sought damages in excess of $50,000 for permanent bodily injury, past and future medical expenses, disability, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Mario Maldonado
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Robert M Speeter| Jigar Ashwin Madia | Zane Alexander Umsted
  • Defendant(s):Mayo Clinic Health System – Fairmont | Timothy Snelson
    • Counsel for Defendants: Rodger A Hagen| Kate Clarice Baker | Matthew James Hanzel

 Claims

The plaintiffs brought several claims against the defendants in a Medical malpractice lawsuit, including

Medical Malpractice: All defendants failed to meet accepted standards of medical care. Dr. Welchlin performed negligent surgery, and all providers failed to properly diagnose and treat compartment syndrome.

Vicarious Liability: Mayo Clinic Health System-Fairmont and Fairmont Orthopedics are vicariously liable for their employees’ negligence under respondeat superior.

Parental Damages: Susan Moscoffian-Sigala suffered significant damages due to loss of Mario’s services, comfort, and care, as well as out-of-pocket expenses related to his medical treatment.

Defense

The defendants asserted they met all standards of care in treating Mario Maldonado’s tibia/fibula fracture. Dr. Welchlin maintained that his surgical technique was appropriate and followed established medical protocols. The defense argued that post-operative pain management and follow-up care adhered to normal practices for orthopedic trauma. Dr. Snelson claimed his emergency room examination was thorough and that Mario’s symptoms did not indicate compartment syndrome at the time. The defendants emphasized they had provided proper patient education regarding potential complications and appropriate follow-up instructions. They disputed the causal connection between their treatment decisions and Mario’s permanent injuries, attributing some complications to the severity of his initial injury. The defense team maintained that all medical decisions were based on sound clinical judgment and followed accepted medical practices for treating young athletes with similar injuries.

Jury Verdict

On September 27, 2024, the jury delivered a split verdict regarding Dr. Timothy Snelson’s treatment of Mario Maldonado in a Medical malpractice lawsuit . While the jury found that Dr. Snelson was negligent in his care of the young athlete, they ultimately determined that his negligence was not the direct cause of Mario’s harm or injury. This verdict favored the defendant, Dr. Snelson, as the plaintiff must prove both negligence and causation to succeed in a medical malpractice claim.

Court Documents:

Available Upon Request