State, Doctors Pay $2.5 Million to Settle Iowa Woman’s Misdiagnosis Claim

The state of Iowa and a group of doctors at University Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City will pay a Fairfield woman $2.5 million after she lost both legs to amputation and became paralyzed after what she claimed was a misdiagnosed spinal problem.

The State Appeal Board on approved a settlement with Isabeau Norwood.

Under the settlement, University of Iowa hospitals doctors will pay more than $833,000 and the state general fund will pay $1.67 million. Both say the settlement doesn’t mean they admitted wrongdoing.

Norwood, who is 55, began complaining of back pain in May 2014. She was seen by several doctors in Fairfield, at University of Iowa hospitals and the state-run Cherokee Mental Health Institute.

She finally collapsed, prompting doctors to order a magnetic scan of her spine. They discovered a spinal abscess and other problems.

The settlement resolves her dispute with the state but the Jefferson County Hospital in Fairfield and four of its doctors go to trial next week. They claim they’re not at fault.