Woman Awarded $3.5 Million for “Botched” Breast Surgery
Posted on 11. Mar, 2010 in News Stories
Maria Alaimo, from New York, had a breast lift and implants placed in 2003 by Dr. Keith Berman, a board certified plastic surgeon. According to the New York Post, after the surgery Maria was left with “double bubble deformities.”
Now a “double bubble deformity” is an uncommon, yet well-described potential complication of breast augmentation. A “double bubble” is when the underlying implant creates a second “bubble” instead of being uniform with the rest of the breast. Maria’s lawyer, Michael Kuharski described it as “like there’s two breasts (on each side) stacked on top of each other.”
According to Maria, she became so embarrassed that she couldn’t undress in front of her husband. “She slept in a different room, she’s depressed, she lost her self-esteem.” In the end, “she’s ultimately pushed her husband away to the extent that he filed for divorce.”
After listening to the case, the jury found Dr. Berman at fault, awarding Maria $3.5 million for pain and suffering.
Given that Maria paid Dr. Berman $7700 for the surgery, and that the complication is a well-known one (just do an internet search on it and you’ll find many examples)–what do you think of the jury award of $3.5 million?
debmig
Mar 11th, 2010
I believe that as a society we are far too ” sue happy”. This woman chose to have this surgery, I don’t kow the forms that she signed, BUT, I’m sure that complications were addressed with her, and that she had to sign that she understood them.
I feel that she probably should have gotten the price of the surgery back, or that she could have had the Dr redo the surgery ( if that was an option).
But I think that she had NO business to sue him, and that a jury awarded her this much money is the reason why we have the health care issues we have today! I know people who were BORN with breasts that were described, who do they sue??????
mjfan
Mar 11th, 2010
“I know people who were BORN with breasts that were described, who do they sue??????”
God?
Sarge
Mar 15th, 2010
I am a Registered Nurse with over 28 years experience in the military and civilian practice. This woman signed consents and knew the risk for this elective (and vain) procedure. It is because of people like her that medical malpractice suits have become a way to add to some ones’ income. She should be put on trial for wasting valuable time, energy, effort, and money. This should be a felony at least.