$7M Verdict for Dentist in Medical Malpractice Case

A Lauderdale County jury delivered a powerful $7 million verdict on September 24, 2025, in favor of local dentist Sunitha Madasu against Dr. Donald J. Bowling and Lauderdale Radiology Group, L.L.P. The ten-day trial, skillfully prosecuted by MARSH | RICKARD | BRYAN attorneys Ty Brown and J.D. Marsh with additional counsel from Kerrian Jaudon, centered on catastrophic medical negligence that transformed a routine emergency room visit into a life-altering tragedy. The case revealed how Dr. Bowling, acting as an agent for Lauderdale Radiology, reviewed CT images of Madasu's brain and failed to report a clearly visible bright spot—the telltale sign of an acute blood clot—across twenty consecutive slices, instead labeling the study as "Normal." This critical oversight led to Madasu's discharge from Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital's Emergency Department, only for her to suffer a massive brain bleed three days later.

The evidence presented during trial established that a reasonably careful diagnostic radiologist would have identified the abnormality, communicated concerns about a potential clot, and recommended follow-up testing. Remarkably, the defendants and their experts eventually conceded that the bright spot was probably a clot and that a simple confirmatory test could have led to proper treatment. Despite this admission, they maintained their denial of wrongdoing. The jury's verdict underscored the profound consequences of this medical failure: had the clot been properly diagnosed, Madasu would have received medication and made a full recovery. Instead, she sustained debilitating injuries that stripped her of independence, mobility, and her professional career as a dentist who had served Lauderdale County for over two decades.

Attorney Ty Brown emphasized that the jury's decision enforced fundamental standards of safe medical care and defended Madasu's dignity, while J.D. Marsh expressed gratitude for the jurors' commitment to truth and justice. The successful outcome highlights the legal prowess of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, a premier Birmingham-based trial firm renowned for handling complex personal injury and medical malpractice cases. Their dedication to leveraging cutting-edge technology and investigative resources ensures that victims of negligence receive the accountability and compensation they deserve, reinforcing the vital role of legal advocacy in protecting patient safety and upholding medical standards.