JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The father of the former Jaguars lineman suing over medical care received at the hands of the Jaguars team physician testified Thursday that the family was devastated when Jeff Novak learned that he would never return to professional football.
Novak -- one of the Jaguars original players, selected in the 1994 expansion draft -- accuses Dr. Stephen Lucie and Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute of allowing him to return from a 1998 injury too quickly, leading to complications and the premature end of his NFL career.
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"It was emotionally difficult for my wife and I," Jack Novak told the court. "I can only imagine what his family went through."
The elder Novak, who played with the Green Bay Packers under Vince Lombardi, told the court that his son had worked very hard to achieve his success in the NFL.
"Jeff wasn't blessed with great size," Novak said. "He was always the lightest in his position."
The plaintiff's wife, Tina Novak, also took the stand Thursday, breaking down on the stand while recounting the shock and grief the family suffered when they learned Jeff's career was over.
"This doctor took something from my husband: He took his job. He'll never get that back, and it hurts."
Jeff Novak wiped tears from his eyes during his wife's emotional testimony.
Thursday's proceedings also included the presentation of a medical evidence, much of it in the form of videotaped testimony.
Dr. Ronald Nichols, an infectious disease specialist with Tulane University, told the court that he was surprised to learn that Lucie cut open a player's wound in the training room, saying performing that procedure outside of a sterile facility could have made the condition worse.
"Opening this hemotoma in the training room; I can't believe this was really going on," Nichols testified.
While he admitted that he did not examine Novak personally, Nichols testified that all this type of injury usually requires heal is two weeks rest.
The defense said in its opening statement Monday that Lucie's treatment was "reasonable and appropriate," and that it was Novak who wanted to return to the football field quickly.
Quarterback Mark Brunell, and former Jaguars Keenan McCardall, Don Davey and Michael Cheever have already testified in the case. Offensive lineman Todd Fordham, Novak's roommate on road trips, is also on the list to testify in the case, which is expected to last up to two weeks. Former Jaguars Tony Boselli and John Jurkovic gave depositions in the case and could be called to testify in the trial.
Novak himself also plans to take the stand.
Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin and other team employees are expected to testify in Lucie's defense, which will probably begin to present its case next week.
The lawsuit is being closely watched throughout the NFL, As questions of how soon a player should return to the field after an injury and who should make those decisions never been heard in open court. Similar lawsuits by other professional athletes were settled out of court.
Previous Stories:
- July 10, 2002: More NFL Players Testify In Medical Negligence Case
- July 9, 2002: Case Against Jaguars' Doctor Under Way
- June 12, 2002: Jaguars Lineman's Case Postponed
- June 10, 2002: Suit Against Jaguars' Team Doctor Begins