Ex-Timbers Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson Wins $20 Million in Medical Malpractice Case

Ex-Timbers Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson Wins $20 Million in Medical Malpractice Case

In a dramatic turn of events that has captured the attention of the soccer world, former Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson has emerged victorious in his medical malpractice lawsuit against team doctor, Dr. Richard H. Edelson. The jury’s decision to award the former New Zealand international over $20 million marks a significant moment in sports medicine and athlete safety.

Gleeson, now 34, underwent surgery in 2018 to address stress fractures in both legs. Unfortunately, the procedure led to infections in both legs, allegedly due to improperly sterilized plates. This medical mishap forced Gleeson to endure a grueling 14 surgeries, ultimately ending his professional soccer career. Today, he faces the daily challenge of walking with persistent pain.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Gleeson shared via Zoom, “It’s been a very hard six-and-a-half years, some weeks are better than others, some days are better than others. But it’s been very difficult.” His words resonate with the struggles many athletes face when their careers are abruptly cut short by unforeseen circumstances.

Gleeson emphasized the broader implications of his case, stating, “I think now moving forward from this case, I just want to be an advocate that when you’re put under anesthesia from a doctor, you expect them to follow these guidelines and these policies. It doesn’t matter if you’re an MLS player, it doesn’t matter if you’re an NFL player, it doesn’t matter if you work a desk job. When you sign that consent form, you’re signing that they’re going to do everything in their power to keep you safe. This doctor did not do that.”

While John Pollino, Edelson’s attorney, has yet to comment on the verdict or potential plans to appeal, the decision marks the end of a lengthy four-and-a-half-year legal battle. The case, heard in Oregon Circuit Court for Multnomah County, also involved settlements with another doctor, Dr. Jonathan Greenleaf, and the Oregon Outpatient Surgery Center, where the surgery took place. Notably, the Portland Timbers were not named in the lawsuit.

The trial, which spanned three weeks, featured emotional testimonies from Gleeson and his former teammates, including Nat Borchers, Jack Jewsbury, and Darlington Nagbe. Former Timbers GM Gavin Wilkinson appeared as a defense witness. The defense argued that the sterilization method used, Immediate-Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS), was adequate and that infection is a known risk of surgery, absolving Edelson of responsibility for Gleeson’s complications.

Gleeson candidly expressed the toll this experience has taken on him, saying, “This has been something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, not that I have too many of those. It’s been a lot of physical pain. It’s been a lot of emotional pain, and those have come in different stages. You have surgeries, you feel better, then you have other surgeries. I would say that this has been something that’s quite consumed my life for the last six and a half years since that initial surgery. I left the training field one day, not knowing that that would be the last time I would ever be a professional soccer player.”

• The jury found in favor of Gleeson on all four questions of negligence by Dr. Edelson and his use of IUSS.
• The jury voted 12-0 on two of the questions, and 11-1 on the other two.
• Gleeson was awarded $413,533.18 for past medical expenses with a 12-0 vote.
• He received $387,500 for future medical expenses with an 11-1 vote.
• The jury awarded $2 million for past lost wages with a 12-0 vote.
• Gleeson was granted $2.145 million for future impaired earning capacity with a 9-3 vote.
• He received $15.675 million for non-economic damages with a 12-0 vote.

Despite the defense’s note that the award for future medical expenses is capped at $200,000, the total damages awarded to Gleeson remain substantial, amounting to $20.4 million even after the reduction. The original court filing, obtained by ESPN, alleged negligence in the sterilization of the plates and a “breach of sterility” at the surgery center, among other claims.

As the dust settles on this landmark case, the sports community is left to ponder the implications for athlete safety and medical accountability. Gleeson’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the risks athletes face and the trust they place in medical professionals to safeguard their well-being.