TULSA, Okla. A Tulsa man who lost both legs, multiple fingers, and his nose after catastrophic medical neglect has reached a seven figure settlement with the healthcare providers responsible for his care, closing one of the most severe medical negligence cases in recent Oklahoma history.
Creekmore entered Oklahoma Heart Institute and Hillcrest Medical Center in 2020 for chest pain. He left fighting for his life. What should have been a routine heart procedure instead became a devastating medical emergency when a surgery-caused tear in his aorta went undetected and untreated.
According to court filings, the medical team failed to identify the injury, failed to perform required diagnostic scans, and misdiagnosed his rapidly declining condition. As blood flow was cut off to his limbs and face, Creekmore’s body began shutting down.
Before 2020, Creekmore lived a full and successful life. He earned a six figure income, enjoyed financial stability, and spent weekends riding his Harley. After walking into the hospital for chest pain, everything changed. What happened was not an unavoidable complication. It was preventable medical neglect that nearly took his life.
During a heart procedure, Creekmore suffered an iatrogenic aortic dissection, a surgical tear in his aorta. According to the lawsuit, the surgical team failed to detect the injury, failed to perform a required TEE scan, and misdiagnosed his rapidly worsening condition.
With no intervention for hours, blood flow to Creekmore’s limbs and face was cut off. His condition deteriorated while critical warning signs were missed.
His fingers turned black.
His legs lost circulation.
Facial tissue died.
His organs failed.
By the time doctors realized what had happened, the damage was permanent.
Creekmore ultimately became a paraplegic amputee, losing both legs below the knee, multiple fingers, and his nose. He also lost the six-figure career he had built and the independence he once enjoyed.
Doctors later said he survived against all odds.
Creekmore filed a medical negligence lawsuit alleging that his injuries were caused not by unavoidable complications but by medical neglect, including failure to recognize a surgical injury and failure to intervene as his condition worsened.
After years of litigation, the case was resolved through a settlement outside of court. The settlement allowed him to secure long-term medical care, advanced prosthetics, rehabilitation, home modifications, and the financial support necessary after losing his ability to work.
The outcome also gave Creekmore something priceless: the chance to reclaim his life.
Before the incident, Creekmore loved riding his Harley. After losing his legs and fingers, many believed he would never ride again. But with custom engineering and adaptive controls, his motorcycle was modified so he could operate it safely with prosthetics.
Today, Creekmore is riding again.
What once seemed impossible has become a powerful symbol of resilience and survival.
Creekmore lost nearly everything because of medical neglect. But he refused to give up.
The multi-million dollar settlement did not undo the harm, but it gave him the tools to rebuild. Against every medical prediction, he survived. Against every physical limitation, he adapted. And against every setback, he found a way forward.
His story stands as both a warning about the consequences of medical failure and a powerful reminder of what determination and accountability can achieve.
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