BELMONT—A Wellsville woman has been awarded $2.4 million by a State Supreme Court jury for the permanent bowel problems she suffered because of ill-advised bowel surgery performed Oct. 7, 1998.

Following a three-week medical malpractice trial before Thomas P. Brown, an Allegany County Court judge and an acting State Supreme Court justice, insurance carriers for Dr. Zahid M. Cohan, of Olean, were ordered to pay the sum to Suzette R. Carlin, 47, and her husband, Greg.

The surgery was performed after the Wellsville woman visited the Olean General Hospital emergency room. As a result of the improper surgery, the woman was forced to undergo three more more surgeries. As a result, Carlin is permanently dependent on narcotic pain medication, according to James M. Mucklewee, her attorney.