Bell Law Firm Wins $15 Million Medical Malpractice Verdict for Family of Veteran

Significant Victory for Veteran's Family

ATLANTA, Aug. 13, 2026 - The Bell Law Firm has achieved a remarkable $15 million jury verdict on behalf of the family of Byung "Ben" Oh, a 77-year-old former U.S. Army veteran. The verdict comes as a response to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Ben's passing, which followed complications from spine surgery conducted in 2018.

The Fulton County State Court jury found that the negligence of Dr. Amy Wyrzykowski and her employer, WellStar Medical Group, was 67.5% responsible for the injuries and subsequent death of Ben Oh. The other 32.5% of fault was attributed to Dr. Barry Jeffries and his employer, Diagnostic Imaging Specialists. In total, the jury awarded $13 million for the economic value of Ben's life, in addition to $2 million for the suffering he endured.

According to statements made by lead trial attorney Lloyd Bell, who is also one of the founding partners of Bell Law Firm, Ben had entered the hospital with a back injury, suffering from a fracture sustained after a fall from a ladder in his yard. Despite the initial incident, his condition rapidly worsened following surgery, due to critical warning signs being overlooked by the medical staff.

The incident began on April 30, 2018, when Ben fell while working and found himself in significant pain with a fractured spine. He was subsequently admitted to WellStar's Atlanta Medical Center, where he underwent the surgery on May 4. Unfortunately, after the procedure, he developed a chyle leak—a significant complication involving lymphatic fluid.

The legal team representing the Oh family argued that Dr. Jeffries made a critical error by placing a suprapubic catheter improperly, which not only escalated the chyle leak issue but continued draining fluid from Ben's body for an extended period. Over the next 11 days, it was reported that 87 liters of chylous fluid were drained, without proper investigation or intervention from Ben's healthcare providers.

In addition, the family's claims indicated that Dr. Wyrzykowski failed to adequately identify the continued fluid loss and did not ensure that the situation was being handled appropriately. Unfortunately, this negligence led to Ben developing septic shock and multiple organ failure, ultimately culminating in his tragic death on July 21, 2018.

Lloyd Bell remarked on the implications of the verdict, emphasizing that it represents a significant step toward accountability for what happened to Ben Oh. He expressed the sentiment that, even though no verdict can fully compensate for such a profound loss, it serves as a reminder of the necessity for careful coordination and attention in patient care, especially when signs of deterioration are present.

This case, led by Lloyd Bell and co-counsel Shuli Green from Green Injury Law, has resonated deeply within the community, particularly among families facing similar challenges due to medical negligence. It draws attention to the importance of attentive medical practices.

Bell Law Firm has a storied history of representing clients impacted by medical malpractice, having recovered substantial amounts for victims over the years. As the firm continues to champion these causes, it aims to raise standards in patient care and hold medical professionals accountable wherever necessary.

For further insights into the Bell Law Firm's actions and success stories in medical malpractice cases, visit belllawfirm.com.

This verdict serves as a pivotal moment not only for the Oh family but for all those who seek justice in the face of medical negligence.