Griswold, James Et Al v. Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists, P.C.

  • Court: Connecticut Superior Court, Waterbury JD
  • Case number: UWY-CV16-6032204-S
  • Filed: September 29, 2016
  • Judge: Hon Kimberly Massicotte J.
  • Case type: T28 – Torts – Malpractice – Medical

Parties Involved

Verdict Information

  • Verdict date: April 5, 2024
  • Total damages awarded to the Plaintiffs: $9,000,000.00
    • Plaintiff James Griswold: $7,000,000.00
      • Economic damages: $3,000,000
      • Non-economic damages: $4,000,000
    • Plaintiff Diana Griswold: $2,000,000.00

About the Case

Cause

On July 1, 2014, Plaintiff James Griswold visited Advanced Cardiovascular Specialist PC (ACS) for a scheduled appointment. During the visit, he weighed about 340 pounds. Defendant Dr. Michael Logue directed him to undergo a nuclear stress test and other cardiac evaluations. For these tests, Defendant Joyce Gianelli, an ACS agent, instructed Griswold to lie on an imaging table. Before getting on the table,  Griswold expressed concern about its ability to support his weight. Defendant Gianelli assured him that the table had supported heavier individuals before and dismissed his concern. James Griswold then followed the instructions and got on the table. Soon after, the table made a loud popping noise, and its head fell violently to the floor, causing Griswold to suffer injuries. Consequently, an action was brought against the Defendants for negligence, malpractice, and loss of consortium.

Injury

Defendants Dr. Logue, Gianelli, and other ACS employees negligently caused Griswold’s back, neck, and spine injuries. Consequently, he required medical and surgical treatments, including the placement and removal of orthopedic hardware in his spine. Following these surgeries, caused by the Defendant’s negligence, Griswold developed septic emboli, which led to a stroke, brain abscess, and other serious neurological injuries.
As a result of the negligence, Griswold suffered right-sided hemiplegia, hemiparesis, and dysesthesia in his right arm. He also experienced severe infections, pneumonia, bacteremia, rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, renal failure, delirium, hallucinations, mental status changes, and dysphagia. The malpractice caused Griswold to lose partial feeling in his tongue, leading to lacerations that required medical care. He also suffered nausea, dysgeusia, and edema in his lower extremities.
Griswold continued to experience expressive aphasia, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. His neurological impairment included right-sided weakness, loss of sensation, deconditioning, and neuropathies. His ability to perform daily activities, functional mobility, speech, and use of his right arm had been permanently impaired. He also lost the ability to use the toilet independently.
As a result of the Defendant’s negligence, Griswold was confined to a nursing home and his bed for an extended period. He remained effectively confined to his residence. He suffered significant muscle loss and continues to endure muscle contractures. Additionally, he also lost more than one hundred pounds.

Damages

Due to the Defendants’ carelessness, James Griswold suffered from physical and emotional pain and distress. He incurred substantial expenses for hospitalization, physician care, nursing care, and other medical, psychological, therapeutic, occupational, rehabilitative, and supportive services, including speech therapy. As a result of Defendant’s negligence, he spent money on services that he otherwise would not have needed. He was unable to work, resulting in lost wages and a diminished earning capacity. Plaintiff Diana Griswold, James Griswold’s wife, was deprived of her husband’s love, comfort, association, companionship, and consortium and will continue to be deprived of these in the future.
Plaintiff sought relief from the Defendants in the form of compensatory damages exceeding $15,000, exclusive of interest, costs, and attorney fees. Additionally, Plaintiff requested any other relief the court deemed just and proper.

Jury Verdict

On April 5, 2024, after a three-week trial, a Connecticut jury’s verdict in favor of Plaintiffs James and Diana Griswold and Defendant Dr. Michael Logue was accepted. The jury awarded 7 million dollars to James Griswold, out of which $3 million was awarded for economic damages and $4 million for non-economic damages. The percentage of negligence attributed to Dr Michael Logue was nil and 100% of the negligence was attributed to Joyce Gianelli. Thus, Gianelli was directed to pay James Griswold $7 million.

Additionally, the jury also awarded Diana Griswold $2 million against Joyce Gianelli. The jury believed that Dr Michael Logue had no role in the malpractice that led to the severe injuries and damages suffered by James Griswold.

Court Documents:

Complaint

Verdict