Jury penalizes doctor who operated on wrong side of brain
ST. PAUL, Minnesota (AP) -- A man who said he developed seizures and other medical problems after a doctor operated on the wrong side of his brain was awarded $850,000 in damages.
George Bidwell Jr., 36, was having surgery to remove an aneurysm in August 2001 when Dr. Arturo Camacho realized he was operating on the wrong side of Bidwell's brain. The doctor closed the surgical site and removed the aneurysm from the other side.
Bidwell said the mistake caused brain damage that led to seizures, memory problems, personality changes and an inability to hold a job for more than a year.
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Camacho admitted that he operated on the wrong side of Bidwell's head but disputed the negative effects that Bidwell described.
A Ramsey County jury found Monday that Camacho, who is now living in Montana, was negligent. The award is for damages including wage loss and emotional distress.
A spokeswoman for United Hospital of St. Paul, where the surgery was performed, said Camacho's privileges to practice there have been revoked.
Keith Ekstrom, one of Bidwell's attorneys, said he was pleased with the jury's decision. An attorney for Camacho, David Hutchinson, said the surgeon made an "unfortunate mistake."
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