A recent court filing has brought to light serious allegations of medical malpractice against a prominent orthopedic surgeon and his practice. On June 7, 2024, Fredrick Wolfe filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, accusing Dr. Michael Krantzow and Golden Orthopaedic Knee, Hip, Shoulder, and Foot Center, Inc. of negligence that resulted in severe and permanent injuries.
The lawsuit details Wolfe's ordeal following a left knee arthroplasty performed by Dr. Krantzow on October 20, 2021. According to the complaint, Wolfe began experiencing symptoms indicative of an infection shortly after the surgery. Despite presenting with swelling, redness, stiffness, and oozing from November 6 through December 30, 2021, Dr. Krantzow allegedly failed to perform critical diagnostic procedures such as wound aspiration or serological studies. Wolfe’s condition deteriorated until he was admitted to West Boca Medical Center on January 3, 2022, with a septic left knee.
The complaint further states that even after this hospitalization and subsequent treatment involving intravenous antibiotics and wound vac therapy from January through April 2022, Wolfe continued to suffer from pain and drainage in his knee. The situation necessitated additional surgeries including another total knee replacement on September 21, 2022.
Wolfe's attorneys argue that Dr. Krantzow deviated from accepted medical standards by not timely diagnosing or treating the infection and by improperly prescribing antibiotics without taking a culture. They also allege that Golden Orthopaedic is vicariously liable for these actions as Krantzow’s employer.
"Defendant Krantzow had a duty to provide orthopedic surgery care...in accordance with the applicable and recognized standard of care," reads the complaint. "Notwithstanding said duty...Plaintiff suffered bodily injury...all of which continue to this day and will in the future."
The plaintiff seeks damages exceeding $50,000 for pain and suffering, loss of dignity, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life among other losses incurred due to what they describe as substandard medical care.
Representing Fredrick Wolfe are attorneys Marc A. Wites and Ariel D. Sofro from Wites & Rogers P.A., while Judge Joseph Abruzzo presides over the case identified as CASE NUMBER: 502024CA005362XXXAMB Div: AF.