SKETCHES OF COURT: Family of deceased awarded sum in medical malpractice trial
Court sketch by Alba Acevedo
In this courtroom sketch, Hon. Karen Rothenberg listens as co-defendant’s attorney Carl Formicola (standing), of the law firm Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, conducts a cross-examination of an expert witness in Konyayev v. Trimba, et al. Seated at far left is defendant’s attorney Anthony Venditto, of the law firm Furman Kornfeld & Brennan, and plaintiff’s attorney Alan Ripka, of Alan Ripka & Associates.
In 2007, Vladimir Konyayev consulted with a doctor about sudden escalation of chronic neck discomfort within a month of it beginning, and declared his pain a 10-out-of-10 on a scale. He also reported the sensation of pins and needles down his arm. Konyayev subsequently underwent treatment that included medications and injections to control pain symptoms, which resulted in mixed effectiveness.
Konyayev was eventually diagnosed with cancer. At issue in the medical malpractice trial was the claim of failure to diagnose a spinal tumor. Konyayev underwent surgery, radiation and chemotherapy before succumbing to Ewing’s sarcoma in 2010 at 52 years old.
Dr. Sondra Pfeffer (on stand), an expert witness diagnostic radiologist, testified for the plaintiff. Pfeffer was cross-examined as to what might or might not have constituted a departure from medical and radiological standards of care in Konyayev’s pathosis.
The trial in Kings County Civil Term was conducted over the course of six weeks and called upon at least six expert witnesses. The case settled before the jury was charged for a significant sum that was acceptable to the family of the deceased.
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