$8.5 Million Jury Award After Man Dies Following Knee Surgery

GLASTONBURY, CT — A jury in Connecticut Tuesday ruled that Glastonbury-based Orthopaedic Sports Specialists, a private surgical practice, is liable for more than $8 million in connection with the death of Peter Sobin, who died in 2015.

The verdict was announced by Chris Mattei and Doug Morabito ofKoskoff of Koskoff & Bieder, who represented Sobin's family and estate in a lawsuit.

Edward Mayer, of Hartford-based Danaher & Lagnese, who is representing the practice in the suit, said he plans to file an appeal.

"Orthopaedic Sports Specialists is very disappointed with the verdict rendered," he said. "We have concerns in several respects about the trial that we will be raising on appeal and are looking forward to a fair Appellate review of the case. "

According to the suit, in August of 2015, the 61-year-old Sobin underwent knee replacement surgery with Orthopaedic Sports Specialists. Shortly after the surgery, Sobin developed a blood clot in his leg, according to the suit.

The jury further found that Orthopaedic Sports Specialists did not address Sobin's concerns and failed to order an ultrasound of his leg that would have detected the clot. Sobin had been complaining of increasing pain and swelling in his calf, according to the suit.

Sobin died just two days after a second follow-up visit, according to the suit.

The jury awarded $5.5 million to Sobin’s estate and $3 million to his wife, Linda Sobin.

"Orthopaedic Sports Specialists completely failed my husband, and I am grateful to the
jury for holding them responsible for Peter's death," Linda Sobin said in a statement released by the family's legal team. “Though nothing can bring Peter back, we hope this small measure of justice will force Orthopaedic Sports Specialists to be more careful in the future so that other families will not suffer the tremendous loss that we feel every day. "

Added Mattei, "Peter Sobin’s death was completely avoidable, and I am pleased that the jury held
Orthopaedic Sports Specialists responsible for its negligence. Families deserve justice when medical professionals abandon their duty to their patients and cause injuries or even deaths that should be preventable."

Sobin was from Wethersfield and was both an architect and an active part of the Central Connecticut Youth Hockey Association. He also frequented charity golf tournaments in the area.