Trial Magazine

Geraldine Davis, 61, underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by general surgeon Enoch Sanders Jr. Although she was suffering from abdominal pain and dark-colored urine, Davis was discharged the next day.

Eight days later, she went to a hospital ER, where testing revealed a bile leak secondary to common bile duct injuries. Davis required multiple drainage procedures, which involved weeks of treatment and a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. She is now at heightened risk for additional medical problems.

Davis sued Sanders, alleging he negligently cut her common bile duct and cut the common hepatic duct during the laparoscopic surgery. The plaintiff also asserted that the defendant negligently removed the segment of common duct between the two injuries.

The jury awarded $1.25 million.

Citation: Davis v. Sanders, CL21-12105 (Va. Cir. Ct. Fairfax Cty. May 27, 2022).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Travis W. Markley, James N. Knaack, and Benjamin M. Wengerd, all of Reston, Va.