After 14 unsuccessful surgeries, former soccer player gets huge compensation pay-out

Former Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson has won a medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Richard H. Edelson, the team doctor that oversaw a series of surgeries stemming from a stress fracture in both legs.

The jury ruled in favour of Gleeson on four separate questions of negligence, awarding him a $20 million payment as compensation.

The claim relates to surgery that Gleeson underwent in 2018 in which plates were inserted into his legs. However Gleeson subsequently suffered a series of infections and was forced to undergo a total of 14 operations before eventually calling time on his playing career. Now, aged 34, Gleeson is unable to walk without pain.

“It’s been a very hard six-and-a-half years, some weeks are better than others, some days are better than others,” Gleeson said after the case was concluded. “But it’s been very difficult.”

Gleeson continued: “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.”

Over the course of a three-week trial the jury heard emotional testimony from the former goalkeeper who recounted coming to terms with the end of his career and a significant loss of mobility. Gleeson had been with the Timbers for eight years and had been capped at international level by New Zealand.

Gleeson relied on support from former teammates Nat Borchers, Jack Jewsbury and Darlington Nagbe, a four-time MLS Cup winner, to testify on his behalf.

Of the $20 million compensation package, $15.675 million was ascribed to non-economic damages. There was $2 million for lost wages and $2.145 million for the impairment to his future earnings, along with $413,000 for past medical expenses and $387,000 for future medical expenses.

“It’s been a lot of physical pain. It’s been a lot of emotional pain, and those have come in different stages,” Gleeson explained. “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.”

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.