Date: 11-24-1998

Case Style: Jennie Young v. Robert Ricketson, M.D.

Case Number: Unknown1/18/99

Judge: Unknown

Court: District Court, Garfield County, Oklahoma

Plaintiff's Attorney: Mark Bonner of Norman, Edem, McNaughton & Wallace, PLLC, Enid, Oklahoma

Defendant's Attorney: Unknown

Description: medical malpractice case against Edmond spine surgeon Robert Ricketson, M.D. Dr. Ricketson severed nine of Mrs. Young's nerve roots during an arthroscopic discectomy in July 1997. The surgery was intended to relieve the pain caused by an extruded intervertebral disc. The nerve root damage caused Mrs. Young to become partially paralyzed below the waist. The case was scheduled for a January trial in the Garfield County District Court before Judge Ronald Franklin. Mrs. Young was represented by Alec McNaughton and Mark Bonner of Enid, and Charles Moser of Oklahoma City, all of whom practice with the law firm of Norman, Edem, McNaughton & Wallace, PLLC. Dr. Ricketson told Mrs. Young that this type of surgery was a, "piece of cake,"and that, "we have performed thousands," of arthroscopic discectomies. In fact, Dr. Ricketson had performed this very difficult surgical procedure less than two dozen times. After Mrs. Young and another patient filed separate medical malpractice claims against Dr. Ricketson in Oklahoma, he moved his practice from Edmond, Oklahoma, to Hilo, Hawaii, where additional complaints were made. The complaints have resulted in disciplinary action before the Oklahoma Medical Licensure Board based upon Dr. Ricketson's addiction to narcotics and unprofessional behavior.

Outcome: Settled for $1.3 million.

Plaintiff's Experts: Unknown

Defendant's Experts: Unknown

Comments: None