Former Wolves star Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is suing a surgeon for millions, claiming that his football career ended prematurely due to an operation he didn’t need.
Ebanks-Blake underwent ankle surgery after a leg break in 2013, but claims that the surgery caused stiffness, which led to arthritis and the end of his career.
He is now suing orthopaedic surgeon Professor James Calder for compensation, claiming that he was not warned of the risks involved in the surgery.
The size of the claim has not been disclosed, but it is likely to run into millions, as he is claiming for the loss of a lucrative Premier League career at the age of 27.
Ebanks-Blake played youth football for Manchester United before working his way up from the lower leagues to Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he scored 64 goals in 193 appearances between 2007 and 2013.
However, a leg fracture at the end of the 2012-13 season marked the end of his time in the top flight, and he spent the rest of his career at lower and non-league clubs.
He eventually retired after suffering another injury while playing for non-league outfit Walsall Wood during the 2019-20 season.
According to Ebanks-Blake’s barrister, Simeon Maskrey KC, the operation resulted in “stiffness and reduction of movement” in his left ankle, which had previously been fine.
He claims that there was “no reasonable justification” for the ankle operation, which he says accelerated the development of arthritis in the joint.
If Ebanks-Blake had been informed of the “significant risk” of long-term pain and stiffness, he would not have consented to the operation, according to Maskrey.
Ebanks-Blake is claiming compensation for the loss of his career, and is seeking a substantial payout from the surgeon, although the size of the claim has not been quantified.
He now needs ongoing physiotherapy and psychological support. No defence to the claim has been made available by the court.
»Sylvan Ebanks-Blake Sues Surgeon for Millions, Claiming Operation Ended Football Career«
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