Friday March 29th, 2024 2:53AM

Gwinnett woman sues Northeast Georgia PhysicIans Group for malpractice in flesh-eating bacteria case

A Dacula woman has filed a lawsuit against Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, its urgent care facility and Dr. Minkaila Sesay for medical malpractice related to a case of flesh-eating bacteria.

Cindy Martinez alleges that doctors at the Northeast Georgia Urgent Care facility on Dacula Road in May 2015 failed to recognize vital signs and symptoms that "clearly revealed that she was suffering from a serious systemic infection and sepsis," according to a press release from her attorney, Render C. Freeman.

A complaint filed in state court lists Martinez's body temperature at 101.3 degrees when she visited the clinic, with skin that was "pink and red" and "warm to the touch" around her shoulder blade, where the infection is said to have started.

The medical staff diagnosed her with gastroenteritis and an acute shoulder sprain; the complaint alleges they failed to conduct the proper tests to determine why her vitals signs were abnormal.

The next day, Martinez was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, where doctors quickly diagnosed her with a skin infection and admitted her to the hospital

The 24-hour delay in treatment, Martinez alleges, ultimately led to the amputation of both her legs below the knee, her right arm at the elbow and portions of each finger on her left hand.

Martinez said her medical expenses have exceeded $1.6 million, and future medical and life expenses could reach $8 million.

"I've never been involved in a lawsuit before, and I'm nervous about it, but I don't want what happened to me to happen to anyone else," said Martinez.

Martinez made headlines as the Gwinnett County community rallied around her and her husband, David Martinez, who is a Gwinnett County Police officer.

"They're not the type of people who want to be involved in a lawsuit, but they feel it's their duty to hold this group of doctors responsible for what happened to her. And if nothing else, make the community of aware of it and hopefully change their behavior," said Render C. Freeman, Martinez's attorney in a phone interview.

Northeast Georgia Physicians Group is part of the Northeast Georgia Health System, which has declined to comment on the pending litigation.

  • Associated Categories: Homepage, Local/State News, Georgia News
  • Associated Tags: Gwinnett County, lawsuit, gwinnett county police, flesh eating bacteria, health, dacula
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