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Personal Injury
Medical Malpractice
Negligent Surgery

Yan Wang, Guowei Liu v. Charles C.S. Chan

Published: Sep. 3, 2003 | Result Date: Jul. 28, 2003 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: GC029658 Verdict –  $0

Judge

C. Edward Simpson Jr.

Court

L.A. Superior Pasadena


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Steven D. Davis
(Steven D. Davis Law Group APC)

Louanne MasryWeeks
(Paul Mones, P.C.)


Defendant

Yuk K. Law
(Law & Brandmeyer LLP)


Experts

Plaintiff

Stephen Rabin M.D.
(medical)

Defendant

William K. Hummer
(medical)

Facts

On May 9, 2001, the plaintiff, age 37, Yan Wang delivered vaginally an 8 pounds and 9 ounce baby girl and her obstetrician was Dr. Charles C.S. Chan. During the delivery, the plaintiff sustained a fourth degree laceration which tore the vagina and anal sphincter. Dr. Chan repaired the fourth degree laceration. On May 15, 2001, the plaintiff returned to Dr. Chan with a complaint that she was having a passage of gas and stool into her vagina. Dr. Chan diagnosed rectovaginal fistula and noted in the chart that he would repair it after three months. The plaintiff was placed on antibiotics to prevent infections, but she continued to complain of passage of gas into her vagina. On June 28, which was seven weeks following the fourth degree laceration, Dr. Chan performed a surgical repair of the rectovaginal fistula. Post-operatively, the plaintiff continued to complain of passage of stool and gas into her vagina. She was seen by several physicians following her last office visit with Dr. Chan on July 27, and these subsequent treating physicians suspected that there were four to five new fistulas.

Settlement Discussions

None disclosed

Specials in Evidence

$2,800

Damages

The plaintiffs' counsel asked for $500,000 in past and future general damages for the plaintiff Yan Wang, and an unspecified amount for the plaintiff's loss of consortium.

Injuries

New fistula formation in the 37 year-old woman, with recurrent passages of gas in the vagina and infections; loss of consortium by the husband.

Deliberation

3.5 hours

Poll

9-3 (no negligence)

Length

six days


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