SCSU Student Awarded $111 Million in Lawsuit Against Medical Provider

(KNSI) – A St. Cloud State University student has been awarded one of Minnesota’s largest medical malpractice settlements. A jury has given Anuj Thapa $111 million after he suffered “permanent” and “disabling” injuries after surgery from two St. Cloud Orthopedic doctors.

In January 2017, the freshman was hurt in a pickup soccer match at SCSU. Thapa, who was 19 at the time, was taken to St. Cloud Hospital, where St. Cloud Orthopedic’s Dr. Chad Holien was on call. According to the lawsuit, Holien recommended surgery which Thapa contested. The complaint says Holien performed surgery with Physician’s Assistant William Paschke. Thapa says he complained of severe pain but was discharged that night.

According to the complaint, he went back to the doctor six days later, complaining of severe leg pain. A different St. Cloud Orthopedics physician performed surgery and found Thapa had developed a muscle condition called acute compartment syndrome due to his first surgery. The condition is caused by pressure buildup from internal bleeding or swelling of tissues. Court records show he’s had more than 20 surgeries since then.

In a statement emailed to KNSI News, St. Cloud Orthopedics says, “We maintain the care provided in this case was in accordance with accepted standards of care. The case was about the alleged delay in diagnosing and treating a complication of the surgery that was performed. St. Cloud Orthopedics continues to support its providers. We are evaluating our options regarding this verdict.”

Thapa, a citizen of Nepal, was awarded $111,251,559.22. Specifically, he will receive $100 million for future “pain, disability, disfigurement, embarrassment and emotional distress,” $10 million for the same suffering in the past, and more than $1 million in past and future medical expenses.

Thapa, now 26, lives in Los Angeles.

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