Medical claim in Norfolk nets $1.85M award

NORFOLK

A California man was awarded $1.85 million for injuries suffered during chest surgery in 2007.

A jury awarded $5 million to Thomas S. Guzzetta and his parents, Lawrence and Jacqueline, in their case against Dr. David Blakey, an anesthesiologist, and Children's Specialty Group, according to court records. The amount was reduced to $1.85 million because of a cap imposed by Virginia law, said his lawyer, Lisa O'Donnell.

According to the lawsuit, Guzzetta was admitted to Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters on Jan. 30, 2007, to have surgery to correct an unusual sunken breastbone condition. He was given a thoracic epidural catheter by Blakey for the operation, and the suit said the procedure caused permanent damage to Guzzetta's spinal cord.

After the operation, Guzzetta could not move or feel his legs and feet, the suit said. He regained his ability to walk but has pain and difficulty controlling some bodily functions, the suit said.

Lawyers for Blakey and Children's Specialty Group said in court papers that the defendants did not deviate from the proper standards of medical care. A representative for Frank Singleton, chief executive officer of Children's Specialty Group, and Blakey declined to comment on the suit. A lawyer for the medical group did not return phone messages.

Guzzetta, 20, came from California to Norfolk to have the surgery performed at CHKD because of its strong reputation, O'Donnell said.