A Lehighton woman stands to receive over $23 million after a jury found that a home care nurse failed to properly evaluate and report an infected catheter.

Attorneys for Ross Feller Casey of Philadelphia represent Sharlee Ann Smoyer. Attorneys from the firm said that the delay in reporting the infected catheter led to a bloodstream infection, which led to Smoyer having both legs amputated below the knees.

Attorneys for Smoyer said a Lehigh County jury found Jolynn Yurchak, R.N. and her employer, St. Luke's Miners Memorial Home Care, were negligent in caring for Smoyer. The verdict was reached late Friday night, according to Smoyer's legal team.

Tonight, Ken Szydlow, Vice President of Public Relations for St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network, issued the following statement;

"We express sympathy for Ms Sharlee Smoyer. However, we believe that based upon well recognized medical principles, our home care nurse provided appropriate care and practiced within applicable standards of care. As with all malpractice cases, this is a complicated situation, but the resultant jury award is excessive and shocks the conscience".