Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Anuj Thapa, a 19-year-old college student, broke his leg while participating in an indoor soccer game. He was transported to Saint Cloud Hospital, where he was diagnosed as having a severely fractured left leg that required emergency surgery. Following the procedure, he experienced severe pain, numbness, a burning sensation, and reduced contraction of his muscles. Nevertheless, he was discharged.

Six days later, he returned to the hospital and was diagnosed as having compartment syndrome. He required more than a dozen operations to treat his condition and has been left with permanent leg injuries. He has been unable to continue his engineering coursework and has changed his focus to general studies.

Thapa sued his treating orthopedic surgeon and orthopedic physician assistant, alleging failure to timely diagnose and treat compartment syndrome. The plaintiff asserted that although he had shown signs of acute compartment syndrome, the defendants failed to perform a fasciotomy, which led to irreversible tissue damage.

The jury awarded more than $111 million.

Citation: Thapa v. St. Cloud Orthopedic Assocs., Ltd., No. 19-cv-2568 (D. Minn. May 17, 2022).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Brandon Thompson and Rachel L. Barrett, both of Minneapolis.