A family from North Dakota has filed a lawsuit against the Mayo Clinic and two of its orthopedic surgeons for permanently paralyzing their teenage girl from the waist down following corrective back surgeries.
Kyla Barton was 13 years old when she walked into the Mayo Clinic after a routine softball health check led to the diagnosis of scoliosis caused by a grapefruit-sized tumor pressing her spine. In October 2023, Dr. Peter Rose of the Mayo Clinic recommended the teenager undergo three corrective procedures---the first will remove part of the tumor, the second will remove the rest, and the last procedure will correct the scoliosis.
The lawsuit, however, alleges Rose failed to take precautions, which led to Barton being completely paralyzed from the waist down.
"When we left Mayo, the only thing she could really do was sit up at the bed with four people assisting her," Ashley, the teen's mother, said, as quoted by The Minnesota Star Tribune.
How the Doctors Allegedly Failed Barton
In Barton's first two surgeries, Rose removed some bone and tissue along with the tumor. This allegedly weakened the spine. The lawsuit accused the doctors failed to insert metal rods and screws that could have helped stabilize the teenager's spine. It also accused the doctors of failing to keep Barton in a protective brace or restrict her to bed rest.
Instead, the lawsuit said Barton was encouraged to get up and move around prior to her third procedure.
Apart from Dr. Rose, the lawsuit also named Dr. Mohammed Karim. He covered for Rose, who left for a conference. Karim ordered an MRI, which found critical abnormalities in the girl's spine. The abnormalities were consistent with significant acute spinal cord injury. He later proceeded with an emergency surgery. It was noted that the teenager was not completely paraplegic when he performed the surgery, per Post Bulletin.
Barton's family is now seeking an amount "far exceeding $75,000."
How Did the Mayo Clinic Respond?
In response to the lawsuit, the Mayo Clinic called the family's complaint inaccurate and argued that paralysis is a known complication in "complex spinal tumor surgeries."
Mayo Clinic also said it will prove that the care they provided Barton was "thoughtful and appropriate."
