Botched Spinal Fusion Resulting in Severe Nerve Damage and Permanent Disability. To correct a herniated disc and lower back pain, the plaintiff underwent two surgeries by the defendant--a discectomy followed by a lumbar spinal fusion. Both were unsuccessful. After the surgery, the plaintiff developed severe pain in both legs. Additionally, she experienced severe right hip pain as a result of removal of bone to be fused into the lumbar spine. Four years later, the plaintiff underwent corrective surgery that alleviated the pain in her legs; however, she was left with permanent, severe low back pain and moderate hip pain.