Physical therapist and clinic sued by patient who claims they allowed her to fall, injure her leg

GRETNA – A woman is suing a physical therapist and clinic after she allegedly was allowed to fall while in their care and injure herself, necessitating two surgeries and several months of being bedridden.

Cornelia Degenova, and husband Thomas, filed suit against Craig Dautrieve and Orthopedic & Sports Therapy of Kenner Inc. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Aug. 22.

Degenova contends that on Aug. 23, 2013 she suffered a fall that resulted in a fractured kneecap and on Aug. 27, 2013 she underwent a surgical repair and afterward undertook physical therapy with Dautrieve and Orthopedic & Sports Therapy of Kenner Inc. located at 3921 Williams Blvd. in Kenner beginning on Sept. 30, 2013.  The plaintiff asserts that on Sept. 30, her first day of physical therapy, the New Orleans Saints were playing on television and the staff and other patients created something of a “party atmosphere.”

Degenova alleges she had not walked at all since the surgery and on the first night of physical therapy she was placed on a stair master and her leg began to quiver and spasm, which Dautrieve did not pay attention to, and afterward when she was asked to walk on the floor she fell and again fractured her knee cap and tore a connected tendon that had also been repaired in the surgery. The plaintiff claims she had to undergo two additional surgeries due to the incident and her physical therapy was pushed back to February 2014.

The defendant is accused of failing to develop and implement appropriate protocol, failing to follow physician’s orders, failing to properly tend to the plaintiff, failing to assist the plaintiff in walking, failing to maintain a professional atmosphere, failing to recognize the plaintiff had been non-load bearing prior to her first session and employing an overly aggressive first physical therapy session.

Damages in the amount of $26,000 for the two additional surgeries plus damages for being bedridden for several months, as well as the plaintiff being confined to the first floor of her home, inability to climb stairs, continual sweeping in the affected leg, trainer costs and for being unable to drive are sought by Degenova.

Degenova is represented by attorney Bobby Ray Malbrough of New Orleans.

The case has been assigned to Division G Judge Robert A. Pitre Jr.

Case no. 741-569.