Former footballer Roger Johnson loses high court claim over knee surgery

Former footballer Roger Johnson has lost a high court damages claim against an experienced knee specialist over an alleged “surgical error”. Johnson, who played in the Premier League for Birmingham and Wolves, brought a clinical negligence claim against Andrew Williams, accusing the surgeon of causing a “large defect” during an operation on his left knee in March 2017.

Now pursuing a career in coaching, Johnson claimed that following the procedure he suffered continued swelling and pain and did not fully recover. He alleged that Williams – a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who has worked with Premier League clubs and Premiership rugby teams – was “negligent” by damaging his medial retinaculum, a protective fibrous capsule in the knee.

However, in a ruling published on Tuesday, Judge Jeremy Hyam QC said there was not enough evidence to conclude that the defect in Johnson’s knee was caused by the surgeon. The judge said: “In summary, the evidence adduced by the claimant and his expert has not been sufficiently cogent or compelling to allow me to conclude on the balance of probabilities that the defendant caused a 3cm diameter defect to the claimant’s medial retinaculum on 17 March 2017 in the course of the synovectomy procedure.”

Mr Williams denied causing the rupture, arguing that other factors could have contributed to Johnson’s condition, such as an infection or the player allegedly not complying with medical advice. The surgeon and the former footballer both attended a trial at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in May.

Satinder Hunjan QC, representing Johnson, explained in written arguments that the former player suffered a knee meniscus tear on 27 January 2017 during a training session at Charlton Athletic.

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