A 36-year-old businessman is claiming more than R1-million in damages from a neurosurgeon after an operation to remove a tumour from his back which he claimed initially left him a paraplegic.
Although he is now able to walk with the aid of a crutch, Riad Dasoo, of Joburg, said in papers before the Pretoria High Court that Dr Louis Nel Snr was negligent in performing the operation, as he allegedly failed to prevent damage to his spinal cord.
The specialist, however, denied this and said he had performed the procedure with the utmost care.
Dasoo said radiological procedures in September 2002 revealed the presence of a tumour in his vertebrae. Nel advised him to undergo an operation. He was admitted to Eugene Marais Hospital in November 2002, where it was removed.
Dasoo tried to stand up a few days after the operation but collapsed. He suffered severe pain after the operation and could not move his legs.
Nel took him back to surgery and blood clots were detected. These were removed.
Dasoo said that after the second operation he was still unable to move his legs. He was treated in a hyperbaric room, and later discharged. He stated that although he could now walk with the help of a walking aid, his legs were weak and he had constant back pain.
Nel stated in court papers that he had acted with the care and skill expected of a neurosurgeon. Dasoo's condition had improved to such an extent that he could now walk with one crutch.
The matter was postponed to August 5.