Medical Missteps Caused Foot Problem, Man Says

8-1-2013 23:59:00

VENTURA, Calif. (CN) - Doctors left a man in traction too long, causing “foot drop,” he says in a medical malpractice case filed in Ventura County Superior Court.

According to online resources from the Mayo Clinic, “Foot drop, sometimes called drop foot, is a general term for difficulty lifting the front part of the foot,” and may be caused by nerve injury, muscle disorders, nerve disorders, brain disorders or spinal cord disorders.

Michael C. McCarthy blames Kaiser, doctor of osteopathy G. Dennis Horvath and a non-Kaiser facility, Community Memorial Hospital, for his injury. “The wrongful conduct of the defendants, which was not then discovered by plaintiff includes, but is not limited to: failure to properly position plaintiff; failure to properly perform surgery; use of excessive traction; failure to properly and timely diagnose and treat plaintiff’s condition,” he alleges in his complaint.

McCarthy’s wife, Susan L. McCarthy, sues for loss of consortium. They are suing in pro per.