NATCHEZ — A jury awarded Johnny Mack Ford $511,000 Thursday for medical bills and suffering allegedly caused by a doctor’s negligence during knee replacement surgery.

Dr. John Henry “Rusty” Fairbanks was ordered to pay Ford $300,000 in noneconomic damages and $211,000 in economic damages.

Ford’s complaint stated one of the screws Fairbanks put in his knee was too long and scraped the knee bone and soft tissue behind his knee, Ford’s lawyer, David C. Dunbar, said.

Dunbar argued the doctor’s negligence caused Ford excessive bleeding, pain and swelling, and resulted in infections and three additional surgeries.

The defense argued the results of the surgery were unfortunate, natural risks of surgery.

The defense also claimed Dr. Ron Gregg, who Ford saw for corrective surgery, was partially responsible, but the jury found Fairbanks to be 100-percent negligent and absolved Gregg of any responsibility.

The jury was split 10-2 on the verdict.

Emily Lane