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SKETCHES OF COURT: Defendant wins in vision-loss case

December 26, 2017 By Alba Acevedo Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Court sketch by Alba Acevedo
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In this courtroom sketch, Hon. Paul Wooten listens as defendant’s attorney Neil Ekblom (standing), of the offices of Ekblom & Partners, conducts a direct examination in the medical malpractice trial Davis v. Engel, MD. Expert witness, ophthalmologist Dr. Vincent Reppucci (on the stand), testified for the defendant. An image of an eye with a blister (bleb) is displayed behind Repucci. Court reporter Sylandia Brock records the proceedings. 

In 2012, Willie Davis was sent by a referring doctor to see Dr. Henry Engel, an ophthalmologist with expertise in retinal disorders, for treatment of an infected bleb in his left eye. Davis, who had advanced glaucoma in both eyes and had lost the vision in his right eye by the time of this visit, claims that his condition was not properly treated, resulting in total loss of his remaining vision. Davis was represented by Leonard Zack, of Leonard Zack & Associates. 

The parties’ expert witnesses offered differing opinions on several relevant scenarios and as to how Davis’ treatment for endophthalmitis might have been best resolved. Zach’s witness maintained that immediate surgery was indicated, while Ekblom’s witness upheld Engel’s choice of intravitreal injections, and maintained that vitrectomy surgery even if desired was not possible given the patient’s uncontrolled blood pressure. 

The jury deliberated briefly before finding for the defendant, determining that Engel did not depart from the accepted standards of medical care in his treatment of Davis’ left eye. 

 

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