Chris Maragos, a former captain of the Philadelphia Eagles’ special teams, has won a $43.5 million medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. James Bradley and Rothman Orthopaedics Institute. He claimed that the doctors ignored his meniscus damage while repairing a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the 2017 season.
The jury deliberated for less than three hours following a two-week trial that included testimony from former Eagles players Trey Burton, Jordan Hicks, and Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles. Maragos had to undergo two subsequent surgeries on his knee and is now considering a knee replacement.
Maragos’ attorneys argued that his doctors’ alleged negligence led to the premature end of his career and ongoing knee issues. They alleged that doctors allowed Maragos to run during his rehab, leading to “further complications and ultimately the premature end” of his career.
The 36-year-old testified that he is the only father who is not out there playing flag football. The doctors allowed Maragos to return to the field, prioritizing his expedient return over his long-term health.
Bradley performed the surgery and oversaw Maragos’ rehab alongside Rothman Orthopaedics. Bradley is a renowned Pittsburgh-based surgeon, previously served as the Steelers team surgeon, and has operated on numerous athletes, including former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz.
However, Bradley and Rothman’s attorneys argued that Maragos damaged his meniscus in a separate weight-lifting injury months after his PCL operation.
The doctors claimed that surgery would have done more harm than good. Bradley argued that if Maragos had needed surgery on his meniscus, he would have performed it but based on his medical judgment, Maragos didn’t require it. The attorneys argued that Maragos had a really bad injury that he couldn’t come back from. Unfortunately, jurors disagreed, and Bradley was ordered to pay roughly $29.2 million, and Rothman was ordered to pay $14.3 million.
Chris Maragos had played eight seasons in the NFL as a defensive back and on special teams for the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Eagles. He spent his final four seasons in Philadelphia, including the 2017 season that saw the Eagles win the Super Bowl. Maragos suffered his PCL tear in Week 6 that season against the Carolina Panthers.
He didn’t play football again. The verdict arrived a day after Philadelphia’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Bradley’s attorney, John C. Conti, contested that the atmosphere around the game during a trial in Philadelphia had an “enormous impact” on the jury.
