THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 26, 1994 TAG: 9410260673
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 27 lines
A jury awarded a $1 million verdict in a medical malpractice case Tuesday in which a woman alleged that she suffered permanent facial paralysis.
The jury deliberated for two hours following a six-day trial before ruling in favor of the plaintiff, Gail Pierce, 48.
In allegations against Dr. Martin Carney, a plastic surgeon, Pierce claimed she suffered permanent damage to the right side of her face which prevented her from closing her right eye and caused her to drool when she smiled.
The condition developed following surgery in October 1990. Attorneys Thomas J. Harlan and John Flora represented Pierce.
Pierce, an employee of an airline, had signed up for a mini-facelift, but her doctor was unable to perform the surgery and Carney filled in.
Harlan said Carney performed a different surgery - one that reached under a deeper layer of skin and allowed surgical instruments to come in contact with nerves.
KEYWORDS: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE by CNB