A jury has handed former All Whites goalkeeper Jake Gleeson US$20.4 million ($35.7m) in damages after he successfully brought a lawsuit against his ex-team doctor alleging medical malpractice, ESPN reports.
Gleeson, who has played on and off for the All Whites between 2011 and 2014, had his sporting career cut short in 2018 after stress fractures in his legs forced him to undergo a corrective surgery that went awry.
At the time, Gleeson had been playing in the United States’ Major League Soccer league for the Portland Timbers, and was under the supervision of their doctor, Dr Richard H. Edelson.
However, following the operation, Gleeson’s legs became infected. He’s since had to undergo 14 more surgeries that have left him with pain in his legs and unable to return to professional football.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper sued Edelson for medial malpractice, claiming the team doctor had not disinfected the plates inserted into his legs before the original surgery.
Jake Gleeson playing for the Portland Timbers in March 2018. Photo / Getty Images
Jake Gleeson playing for the Portland Timbers in March 2018. Photo / Getty Images
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