Woman Awarded $1.5 Million Following Unsuccessful Breast Reduction Surgery

By Daniel Hawn

Published on August 25, 2005

The verdict, which is the largest malpractice award made in Roanoke County over the past several years, was entered in favor of Ann Shorter.

On February 7, 2001, Shorter underwent breast reduction surgery at Lewis-Gale Clinic in Salem. She returned to the clinic two weeks later when the incisions failed to heal properly.

Wray, who performed the surgery, attempted to use skin grafts to heal the injuries to Shorter's breasts. According to Shorter's attorney, Russell Updike, Wray was unable to fix the damage and in November, Shorter decided to seek the care of Dr. Michael Zenn at Duke University.

The lawsuit stated that Zenn determined Wray did not leave enough skin to allow Shorter's breasts to heal properly following surgery. Zenn subsequently performed a double mastectomy and used tissue expanders to enlarge the skin over Shorter's chest area to allow breast implants to be put in later.

In court, Wray's attorney, Walt Peake, argued that the injuries Shorter suffered were not the result of malpractice but were simply complications associated with breast reduction surgery.

Following the jury's decision, Peake said that Wray is considering legal actions to petition that the verdict be set aside.

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