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June McDowell

Woman Sues Naval Hospital After Knee Surgery Leads To Leg Amputation

POSTED: 7:29 pm EDT March 14, 2008
UPDATED: 8:16 pm EDT March 14, 2008

A Jacksonville woman who lost her leg after having knee replacement surgery recently announced she is suing the Naval Hospital Jacksonville.

June McDowell had a hard time fighting back tears as she talked about the life she used to know before she lost her leg.

In 2005, McDowell went in for knee replacement surgery. Her husband was in the Navy, so she went to the hospital at NAS Jacksonville, which has been sued several times in the past.

However, McDowell said after the surgery began something went terribly wrong. She told Channel 4 the last two years have been a nightmare and that she spends a lot of time thinking about what she can no longer do.

"I have a bed that I lay in, you know. I just can't do anything. I can't be by myself," McDowell said.

In the lawsuit filed against the Navy, June's lawyers described how the woman went to the naval hospital for knee surgery. Her lawyers said that was when something went wrong while McDowell was under the knife and then she had to face the option of losing either her leg or her life.

"They are doing surgeries everyday. A doctor will do multiple surgeries in the course of the day. This should have been no different. She should have gone in, had her surgery and the next day or the day after been home to recuperate," said attorney Judith Guthrie.

McDowell said she can no longer stand, and said because of the severity of her injuries, doctors say she is not a candidate for a prosthetic leg.

"They've taken my life away from me," said McDowell.

She said the hardest part to deal with is that she has to depend on her husband for everything.

"You put your faith in the doctor, and you're hoping that he knows what he is doing. When this happens, that faith goes out the window," McDowell said.

Naval Hospital Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Raquel Bono released the following statement about McDowell's case:

"The McDowell family has my deepest sympathy. The hospital staff and all who were involved in Mrs. McDowell's care share my concern for her situation. We remain available to provide any support or assistance to the McDowell family."

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