Comedian Trevor Noah is suing a New York City hospital and orthopedic surgeon for being ‘negligent’ during a surgery he underwent last year.
In the lawsuit, filed in the New York Supreme Court, Noah claims both the Hospital for Special Surgery as well as Dr. Riley J. Williams were ‘careless in failing to treat and care for [him] in a careful and skillful manner.’
It also accuses them of failing to ‘use proper tests and examinations in order to diagnose the conditions’ he ‘was suffering’ from, and ‘failing to use approved methods in general use in the care and treatment’ of Noah, 37, who underwent surgery at the hospital on November 23, 2020.
The lawsuit further claims that the hospital and surgeon failed to ‘prescribe proper medications,’ and failed to ‘discontinue certain prescription medications.’
As a result, it claims, Noah suffered ‘severe personal injury,’ resulting in a ‘loss of enjoyment for life.’
DailyMail.com has reached out to Noah, as well as his attorney, Justin Blitz, for more information. It has also contacted the hospital for comment.
Comedian Trevor Noah, left, is suing Dr. Riley J. Williams, right, an orthopedic surgeon for being ‘negligent’ in a surgery he underwent last year
The lawsuit does not specify what surgery the South African-born comedian underwent while he was a patient of Dr. Williams from August 25 to December 17, 2020, according to Page Six.
But as a result, it says, Noah sustained ‘severe and painful personal injuries; sustained severe nervous shock, mental anguish, severe emotional distress and great physical pain; was confined to [a] bed and home for a long period of time’ and ‘has suffered loss of enjoyment of life.
The lawsuit also claims Noah ‘was prevented from engaging in his usual occupation for a long period of time; and since some of his injuries are of a permanent nature, he will continue to suffer similar damages in the future.’
A representative from the hospital told People they have received Noah’s claims, which they called ‘meritless.’
‘HSS received a complaint filed on behalf of Mr. Trevor Noah,’ the representative said. ‘We have shared with Mr. Noah’s attorney a detailed rebuttal to the claims, which are meritless.
‘Due to HIPAA we are restricted by law from addressing publicly specific aspects of the treatment of any patient.’
The representative added that it is ‘committed to excellence in the care we provide to each of the more than 150,000 patients we treat each year.
‘This commitment has made HSS the world’s leading academic medical center specialized in musculoskeletal health, consistently ranked number one in orthopedics globally and nationally.’
Noah underwent a surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgeries in Manhattan on November 23, 2020 and allegedly suffered ‘severe and painful personal injuries; sustained severe nervous shock, mental anguish, severe emotional distress and great physical pain’
Noah has previously received an emergency appendectomy in 2015, though it is unclear whether that is related to his surgery last year.
Afterward, he told his audience on The Daily Show: ‘I am back from the world’s shortest vacation.
‘Some of you may have heard that I was out yesterday with a touch of emergency appendectomy surgery. Appendix out and I’m OK now.’
He continued: ‘What better way than enjoying America’s healthcare system?
‘It was an interesting experience going to the emergency room … but I don’t know if “emergency room” is the right term, because they make you wait.
‘I feel like there should be two rooms – a room for emergencies and a room for people who can fill out forms.’
He also warned his fans at the time that he ‘can’t stand up,’ according to The Wrap.