March 2010.  Frederick C. Johs obtained a defendant's verdict in Supreme Court, Suffolk County in a medical malpractice action involving his client, an infectious disease specialist.  Plaintiff alleged a failure to diagnose and treat Endocarditis during treatment in 2002.  Plaintiff, a 34 year-old man, alleged that his doctors were negligent in failing to properly and timely order appropriate antibiotics and in failing to timely order blood work and blood cultures.  Plaintiff further alleged that his doctors failed to take an adequate medical history, including prolonged fever, elevated temperature, chills, and weight loss.

Plaintiff was subsequently diagnosed with Strep Viridans Bacteremia and Endocarditis.  Plaintiff underwent an aortic valve replacement with a St. Jude prosthetic valve.  Plaintiff alleged that there was a strong likelihood, based upon his age, that he would require at least one additional valve replacement or other heart surgeries in the future and will be maintained on Coumadin for the rest of his life.

The jury awarded a defendant's verdict to Lewis Johs' client.