Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Prechtl v. Caselnova, No. 601010/13 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. Nassau Cnty. Oct. 22, 2018).

Kenneth Prechtl, a 58-year-old man whose father had suffered a heart attack when he was young, underwent a cardiac workup, which revealed a problem with his left anterior descending artery (LAD). Cardiologist Ralph Caselnova placed stents in both the LAD and the ramus intermedius coronary artery. Seven months later, Prechtl suffered a massive heart attack, during which he coded twice. He suffered heart damage resulting in a lowered ejection fraction. He cannot exert himself as before and requires assistance with various activities of daily living.

Prechtl and his wife sued Caselnova and his group, alleging the physician had placed an unnecessary stent in the ramus and used an undersized stent in a high-risk area, resulting in the formation of clots and the subsequent heart attack. The plaintiffs asserted that Prechtl’s ramus required no intervention and that Caselnova should have ordered a re-stress test to see whether the ramus was causing any of Prechtl’s symptoms.

The plaintiffs did not claim lost income. The jury awarded $815,000.

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Robert V. Fallarino, Lake Success, N.Y