Trial of Surgeon Accused of Negligence Underway

By Daniel Hawn

Published on January 31, 2006

Stephen Hemphill of Barry County filed the lawsuit against Jon Snow, a doctor at Cox South Hospital who specializes in disorders of the ears, nose, and throat. According to the lawsuit, Hemphill sought the care of Snow in August 2002 for breathing difficulties.

Snow diagnosed the source of Hemphill's problems as a deviated septum. He performed a septoplasty to straighten Hemphill's septum a few weeks later.

The lawsuit states that Hemphill's condition did not improve after the surgery, but rather worsened. He soon experienced swelling in his ankles and was unable to hold his eyes open. Hemphill notified Snow of his deteriorating condition multiple times before Snow referred him to his primary care physician for an evaluation, the lawsuit states.

Hemphill was admitted by his physician to the hospital for a screening and rehydration. Within a month, Hemphill's condition declined so significantly that he had to be treated in the intensive care unit at Cox South.

Upon his release, doctors told him that he would need to undergo gall bladder surgery. Hemphill also subsequently developed several conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure.

In his lawsuit, Hemphill alleges that Snow was negligent in not promptly responding to his requests for additional treatment after the septoplasty. The suit seeks more than $25,000 in damages.

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