Nadia Bickelhaupt Sues Hospital for Malpractice
The 37-year-old patient alleges surgical errors caused permanent injuries during her 2025 treatment in West Palm Beach.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Stroke
In October 2026, Nadia Bickelhaupt initiated a malpractice lawsuit against St. Mary's Medical Center and her medical team following a series of surgeries in 2025. The plaintiff alleges that surgical errors during a brain injury operation and a subsequent infection led to significant, permanent damage.
Why it matters
The ongoing litigation has complicated a separate, high-profile criminal case, as the plaintiff's health status has forced delays in the attempted murder trial of her husband, Jacob Bickelhaupt. Attorneys for the defense argue that the inability to depose the victim prevents adequate trial preparation.
Nadia Bickelhaupt, 37, alleges that neurosurgeon Kaveh Asadi-Moghaddam and physician assistant Sara Seneker failed to remove an infected piece of skull. The medical team subsequently performed a reconstruction surgery using a custom 3D-printed implant.
The players
Nadia Bickelhaupt
She is a 37-year-old resident of West Palm Beach who is the plaintiff in a recent medical malpractice lawsuit.
Jacob Bickelhaupt
He is the defendant currently awaiting trial on charges of attempted murder and false imprisonment.
Kaveh Asadi-Moghaddam
He is a neurosurgeon at St. Mary's Medical Center named as a defendant in the recent malpractice filing.
Sara Seneker
She is a physician assistant named as a defendant in the lawsuit alleging surgical errors.
St. Mary's Medical Center
This is the West Palm Beach hospital where the medical procedures took place.
The details
The lawsuit centers on claims that medical staff failed to adequately address a post-surgical infection following an emergency operation for a brain bleed. Bickelhaupt underwent an additional, extensive procedure to replace missing bone tissue after the infection became a major complication.
Timeline
Nadia Bickelhaupt arrived at St. Mary's Medical Center with a brain bleed in June 2025.
Bickelhaupt filed for divorce in December 2025.
The court declined to order the release of Jacob Bickelhaupt from jail in July 2026.
The tentative start date for the criminal trial is late January 2027.
Health Landscape
The civil litigation marks a departure from the procedural timeline of the 2025 criminal attempted murder trial of Jacob Bickelhaupt. This case highlights how medical malpractice claims involving high-profile criminal victims can significantly alter court schedules.
This lawsuit underscores the importance of informed consent and careful post-operative monitoring for patients undergoing invasive skull reconstruction. Patients should prioritize clear communication with their surgical teams regarding infection risks and recovery timelines.
The takeaway
Patients pursuing complex skull reconstruction procedures should be diligent about post-operative symptoms and potential surgical site infections. Legal complications often follow medical errors when recovery timelines intersect with ongoing criminal justice proceedings.
What happens next
Jacob Bickelhaupt is scheduled to stand trial for attempted murder and false imprisonment in late January 2027.
Further reading
For additional context on local medical issues, visit the West Palm Beach Stroke section.
