Amputee awarded $109M in third malpractice suit

TAMPA (FOX 13) - The former Department of Defense analyst, whose life was turned upside down by mistake made during a routine surgery, has won her third attempt to hold her doctor accountable. 

A jury awarded Lisa-Maria Carter $109 million Friday for the botched surgery that led to her arms and legs being amputated. 

"I'm very, very happy," Carter told FOX 13 News. "I am so thankful to God for blessing me at this point."

Lisa-Maria has spent the last seven years fighting the University of South Florida's medical team in court.

The first two trials ended in a hung jury, but not this time, explains her attorney Ken Dandar.

"Now she sees the doors starting to open where she could go to her own home, buy a home, bring in people to take care of her so she's not sitting in a nursing home," said Dandar.

In November 2010, Carter was headed to Iraq for an assignment. But first, she had to have an ovarian cyst removed. During the surgery, her small bowel was accidentally cut, but it was not caught until later. 

Her surgeon, Dr. Larry Glazerman was asked about the mistake during this trial. He waffled on his answer, eventually agreeing it would be a lapse in the standard of care if he missed a hole in the bowel.

Dandar says the journey to victory was not easy, but persistence paid off.

"Don't give up, no matter how bad the injury, no matter how bad your life circumstances are, there's always another door opening waiting for you don't give up," said Dandar.

USF will likely appeal the verdict which could take a year to resolve.

If USF loses the appeal, Dandar will then take Carter's case to lawmakers in Tallahassee to ask for the full amount the jury awarded her.