$16 Million Awarded in Florida Brain Surgery Malpractice Suit

By Daniel Hawn

Published on January 11, 2007

Following a 2001 operation to remove a benign tumor from her brain, Landis was discharged from the hospital and later suffered a seizure, ultimately leaving her in a coma. Landis suffered brain damage due to a lack of oxygen – a disorder her attorneys claimed could have been avoided.

Though University of Miami neurosurgeon Jacques J. Morcos defended his actions, Landis’ attorneys claimed the surgery was unnecessary and that the procedure and postoperative care were handled incorrectly by Morcos.

Arguing that the surgery was indeed necessary and the tumor could have been deadly, Morcos maintained brain fluids were being blocked by the tumor, which eventually would have endangered Landis’ life. Landis was released in a postoperative state typical to this type of surgery, and she was properly medicated, according to Morcos. The tragedy, Morcos believes, is that Fire Rescue could not secure Landis’ airway.

University officials plan to appeal the ruling, insisting that Morcos did everything in his power to save the patient, and that while such surgeries generally are successful, complications are sometimes unavoidable.

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