GALESBURG — A Knox County jury Friday awarded a former Toulon woman nearly $500,000 in damages in a malpractice lawsuit against a Galesburg physician.

A jury deliberated just under two hours Friday before reaching a verdict against Steven Potaczek of Galesburg Clinic.

The suit filed on behalf of Carrie Taylor, a veterinarian, claimed Potaczek improperly repaired Taylor’s 2002 wrist fracture then failed to inform Taylor over the course of the next three months that the repair was displacing and collapsing.

Taylor underwent two subsequent surgeries in Peoria, including a bone graft harvested from her hip. Two doctors who treated Taylor in her later surgeries both testified the methods Potaczek used to hold the fracture together were insufficient They also testified Taylor will develop arthritis and need future wrist fusion surgery which will eliminate wrist movement.

Two defense experts testified Potaczek’s method of repairing Taylor’s wrist was a clinical judgment and did not constitute negligence.

The jury award Taylor $300,000 for past and future lost of normal life activities; $100,000 for past and future pain and suffering; $30,000 for disfigurement; approximately $60,000 for past and future medical bills; and $4,100 in lost wages.

Taylor was represented by Ryan Yagoda and Alexander Sukham of the Chicago firm Kralovec, Jambois and Schwartz.

Yagoda said they were extremely pleased with the verdict. “Carrie waited a long time — over seven years — for this day. But the case was never about money. Carrie was willing to accept $250,000 to settle the case on Monday but it was never offered until 10 minutes before closing arguments,” Yagoda said.

Potaczek was represented by Paul Estes and Patty Naylor of the Peoria law firm Hinshaw and Culbertson.