Colleague comes to doctor's defense in malpractice trial

TAMPA (FOX 13) - The jury heard from another doctor who said Dr. Larry Glazerman followed acceptable standards of care during a surgery and treatment of Lisa-Maria Carter.

Dr. Richard Margolis told the jury, "I agreed 100 percent with what they did."

Dr. Glazerman, a surgeon at USF, is being blamed for botching a routine surgery to remove an ovarian cyst, accidentally cutting the small bowel, and failing to catch the mistake.

The delay led to Carter losing her arms and legs.

But Dr. Richard Margolis says, at first, all the signs and symptoms didn't point to a massive infection. There were many possible illnesses.

"I mean, she had kidney problems. They had to worry about that. She had brain problems, heart problems, respiratory problems, she has so many things, the least of which was her abdomen," explained Dr. Margolis.

But under cross-examination, Dr. Margolis wasn't sure how a hole was formed in the small bowel, but he had a theory.

"I don't think the injury happened right at the time of the surgery, otherwise she would have been much sicker, earlier. I think it evolved over time," said Margolis.

What is clear is that is losing her limbs ended Lisa-Maria's military career as an intelligence analyst at the Department of Defense.

"We scheduled the appointment to have my hands and legs amputated," said a tearful Carter.

She would need 24-hour care and treatment for the rest of her life. Lisa-Maria is now is now suing USF for millions of dollars in damages.

The jury is expected to get the case Thursday afternoon.