News & Events

On July 31, 2026, Hollywood partner Jonathan Abel and associate Claire Snell received a defense verdict in a six day medical malpractice case tried in West Palm Beach, FL. The plaintiff had a chronic skin condition called prurigo nodularis, which produces extremely itchy and debilitating lesions. The defendant is a dermatologist who treated the lesions with corticosteroid injections. After 5 weeks of treatment, the plaintiff developed spontaneous extensor tendon ruptures in his left hand. The plaintiff was a life-long guitar player, and the injury eliminated his ability to play guitar, or otherwise perform functions requiring the use of his left hand. The plaintiff claimed the doctor provided an excessive amount of medication in too short of a time period, thereby causing the ruptures. The defense contended the dosage and frequency were reasonable, and that there was no known connection between intralesional steroid injections and tendon ruptures. In addition, the defendant presented evidence of metabolic causes for the injury. The plaintiff asked the jury for an award in excess of $3,000,000. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning a defense verdict. A PFS was previously filed. There was no demand at time of trial.