Attorney Michael Lyons standing at a court room podium pointing to the defendants table

Lyons & Simmons Secures $10.1 Million for Client Who Suffered ‘Calamity of Delays and Institutional Failures’ at Hospital

When Flower Mound resident Judy “Jessie” Adams visited a pain management physician on March 21, 2019, for an epidural steroid injection, it was with no understanding of how events over the next several hours would forever alter her life.

An accidental nick of a blood vessel during the injection sent her to Texas Health Presbyterian Flower Mound for a neurological emergency – an epidural hematoma. But failures to communicate, coordinate and follow hospital policies turned her trip to the ER into a nightmare of delays. Those delays resulted in permanent paralysis to her lower extremities.

“This case is a timeline case, and what I mean by that is the jury can make a decision on this case just by looking at the timeline,” Lyons told Texas Lawbook. “Our expert said you have a six-hour window from the time of injury until surgery and if you can get it before then, [the patient] improves greatly. But they blew that – she didn’t get into surgery for seven-and-a-half, eight hours.”

Lyons led the team that represented Adams at trial, securing a combined verdict of $10.1 million that included past and future medical expenses and physical impairment, as well as pain and suffering and disfigurement. The trial team also included Lyons & Simmons attorneys Christopher W. Carr, Michael Fechner, and Stephen Higdon.

“This case represents a calamity of delays and institutional failures to follow policies designed for patient safety. Now, Jessie Adams will be forced to live as a paraplegic for the rest of her life – a fate she does not deserve,” said Lyons. “Our hope is this verdict will shine a light on a situation that needs extensive improvement and better leadership, or more people are going to get hurt at this hospital.”

In additional media coverage of the case Lyons described the delays as “unconscionable.”

“Testimony in this case uniformly was this was just an ordinary day, [the hospital staff] wasn’t particularly busy. During the course of the case, we proved to the jury there were 26 separate examples of written policies of the hospital that were not followed for this single patient,” Lyons told Texas Lawyer magazine.

To read more about the $10.1 million verdict Lyons & Simmons secured for Mrs. Adams, read:

Texas Lawyer: 'I Used the Sesame Street Line': The Winning Strategy Behind a $10 Million Texas Verdict

Texas Lawbook: Dallas Jury Hits Hospital with $10.1M Verdict in Paralysis Case [Password protected]

Categories
    Lyons & Simmons quickly became the glue that held our family together.

    “Lyons & Simmons quickly became the glue that held our family together.”

    - Kelsy
    Staff Was Exceptional & Professional

    “They handled my case with such professionalism that I was very much at ease. I didn’t feel like just a case number or just another client. They were very family oriented which made me feel that they put my family first.”

    - Dianna W.
    Instrumental in Resolving Matters!

    “Michael Lyons, Chris Simmons, and the entire team at Lyons & Simmons have been instrumental in resolving matters over the years with the utmost expertise, professionalism, responsiveness, and care leading to results in my best interest.”

    - Cade M.
    We Are Forever Grateful!

    “Mike Lyons and his team were amazing to work with! He brought us such a great amount of hope in the midst of a difficult situation.”

    - Chelsie H.
    Brilliant Strategist and a Fearless Fighter for Justice

    “Mr. Lyons's predictions regarding the outcome of my case and the timeline were spot on. I was never misled or put on the back burner. He always responded to my questions in a very clear and honest way. He comes highly recommended!”

    - Amy B.

Let Us Make A Difference

Lyons & Simmons Is Here to Help

When you have been injured, every second counts. Speak with one of our nationwide trial attorneys today.

  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.