Vince Alentado ’11 was injured in football practice in April 2009 when his teammate fell on his leg and shattered both his tibia and fibula. The injury resulted in two surgeries, treatments for compartment syndrome, and nerve damage.
The injury ended his career as a Hillsdale College running back, and he was told he would never run again.
Last week, the Hillsdale County Circuit Court ruled in Alentado’s favor in a lawsuit against the Hillsdale Community Health Center for medical malpractice. Alentado was awarded $43,000 in damages and expenses, $275,000 for pain and suffering, $7,500 a year until 2023, and $10,000 a year from 2023 to 2033 for future damages — a total of $493,000.
“I think Vince was motivated more by — not the amount of money — but that there was a right way to do things, and it just wasn’t done in this case,” said Andrew Muth, Alentado’s attorney.
The basis of the suit was that, during the first surgery, the orthopedic surgeon had ordered hourly neuro-vascular checks. There was a neurological change during the process, and the surgeon was not notified, resulting in further nerve damage.
The nerve damage was to his deep peroneal nerve, which has a sensory function as well as the motor function to lift up the toes. This nerve damage affected the tendons on the top of his toes, so the tendons on the bottom took over and made his toes curl. Because of this, he had to undergo a lengthening procedure.
“I think that what was really clear was the nurse didn’t follow specific procedures in the hospital,” Muth said. “I think the jury didn’t like that.”
Muth said the jury was attentive to the case and listened well.
“They understood the issues,” he said. “It wasn’t that hard to decide the case. The jury was only out deliberating for an hour.”
The jury trial lasted from Sept. 17-19.
A spokesperson for the hospital had yet to return phone calls at the time of going to press.
