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Personal Injury
Medical Malpractice
Negligence

Ronald Martinez v. Buenaventura Medical Group

Published: Aug. 24, 2004 | Result Date: Jun. 30, 2004 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: CIV216046 Verdict –  $0

Judge

Mark J. Litwak

Court

Ventura Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

John R. Contos

Steven G. Cohn


Defendant

Mark B. Connely
(Hall, Hieatt & Connely LLP)


Experts

Plaintiff

Donald F. Nortman M.D.
(medical)

Defendant

Toby Gottheiner
(medical)

Jerome Kay
(medical)

Facts

The plaintiff, a 48-year-old disabled packing house supervisor had multiple health problems including diabetes and hypertension. He smoked a pack of cigarettes daily and was significantly overweight. His health care facility was the defendant. In 1999, he was prescribed Motrin for persistent abdominal pain. This caused a worsening of certain kidney functions. Motrin was discontinued and the kidney problems leveled off. In December 2000, the plaintiff was prescribed Celebrex for joint pain. Celebrex is potentially adverse for kidney functions. In February 2001, the plaintiff was sent to an outside doctor, for an orthopedic consultation in connection with a workers' compensation claim. This doctor sharply increased the Celebrex dosage. He returned to the defendant facility in April 2001 but never returned afterwards and kept on taking the Celebrex.

Specials in Evidence

$800,000

Deliberation

five hours

Poll

9-3 (negligence), 9-3 (causation)


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