by John Christoffersen
Associated Press
May 13, 2011
NEW HAVEN, CONN. — A woman who went into a coma during what was supposed to be routine surgery was awarded $10.5 million by a Connecticut jury.
Karla Rosa, 44, of Logan, Ohio, and her husband won the award Thursday in New London Superior Court against Anesthesia Associates of New London, said a court clerk and her attorney Sean McElligott.
The woman, who lived at the Navy base in Groton at the time, went in for hernia repair surgery in 2006, McElligott said. He said doctors used the wrong device for patients at risk of inhaling stomach contents into their lungs during anesthesia, putting her in a coma for 26 days and leading to permanent injuries.
Rosa, whose husband is retired from the Navy, said she was "a little bit shocked but very happy" by the award. She said her injuries make it difficult to stand and walk.
"It feels like I'm walking on broken glass," she said. She also said she suffers memory loss.
A telephone message was left Thursday for an attorney for the defendants.
"I'm just happy to bring peace to this family," said McElligott of the Bridgeport law firm of Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder of Bridgeport, who worked on the case with attorney David Bernard.
Case Results
Koskoff Attorneys Sean McElligott and Josh Koskoff Win $6.5 million Verdict Against Danbury Hospital
A jury Thursday found Danbury Hospital negligent in the 2006 death of a Newtown furniture mover...
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Koskoff Attorney Antonio Ponvert Wins $41.7 million Verdict for his Client
Conn. student disabled on school trip wins $41.7M...
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KK&B Attorneys Win Largest Medical Malpractice Verdict in CT
A Norwalk couple was awarded $58.6 million Wednesday, a record for a single incident of medical malpractice in Connecticut, in a case involving an obstetrician accused of waiting too long to perform a cesarean section and a boy who has cerebral palsy...
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In the News
Koskoff Lawyers Handling Part of Michael Jackson Family Lawsuit
Koskoff Attorney Sean McElligott interviewed about $6.5 million verdict against Danbury Hospital
Attorney Josh Koskoff on product liability and guns
Attorney Josh Koskoff interviewed about suicide and suicide prevention on WATR
A mother feels outrage Parent objects to girl's death being used to explain theft
Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder ranked Tier One in the US News & World Report
U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers® has listed the Connecticut-based law firm of Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder as “tier one” in its 2011-2012 “Best Law Firms” rankings.
Community Involvement
Firm Sponsors Reel Law film series
Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder is pleased to sponsor the Reel Law film series at The Bijou Theatre in downtown Bridgeport. The next film is The Verdict on Thursday, May 9. Click
here for more information and to view the full schedule of movies and dates, or visit us on
Facebook.
Koskoff Attorney Richard Bieder speaks to Rotary Club about 9-11 and Trial Lawyers Care
Vin Simko introduced Attorney Richard Bieder, of Koskoff, Koskoff and Bieder, a firm nationally known for representing individual and class action cases resulting from mass disasters, consumer rights, personal injuries, commercial fraud and misrepresentation and other matters.
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Firm Donates $100,000 to Hospital
Attorney Chris Bernard of
Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder said his firm has donated $100,000 to Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. The funds have covered the cost of specialized medical equipment...
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