Former All Whites and Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson has been awarded NZ$35.7 million in damages after a jury ruled in his favour in a medical malpractice lawsuit against his former team doctor, Richard H. Edelson.
The case stemmed from a 2018 back surgery to treat stress fractures in both legs, during which unsterilised surgical plates allegedly caused severe infections that ended Gleeson’s professional football career.
After enduring 14 subsequent surgeries and years of physical and emotional pain, Gleeson is now unable to walk without pain.
The jury’s verdict followed a three-week trial, though Edelson’s team has not indicated if they plan to appeal.
Gleeson played for New Zealand’s national team from 2011 to 2014.
