Defense Verdict for Physician Assistant and Orthopedic Group

On Monday, May 19, 2025, Evan Baker and Jack Shusted secured a defense verdict for their clients, a Physician Assistant and his Orthopedic Group, after a seven-day trial in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. The Plaintiff estate claimed that the orthopedic group improperly handled the follow up care of a post-surgical patient who had undergone an Achilles repair surgery six weeks earlier. Plaintiff alleged that the treatment rendered by the Physician Assistant in an incision check was substandard. Two hours after this interaction, the patient unfortunately passed away. The Plaintiff alleged that the defendants failed to identify deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) in the patient which ultimately caused his death shortly after the encounter.

Throughout the trial, the Defense demonstrated that on the morning of the patient’s death, he was not showing symptoms indicative of a DVT or PE, and that the Physician Assistant properly assessed and treated the wound as the standard of care required. The Defense vigorously defended against claims of negligence, malpractice, and agency on behalf of their clients. Ms. Baker and Mr. Shusted’s clients were found to have no liability in the $4.8 million jury verdict awarded to the Plaintiff against a different medical provider.