Facts

This action involved the alleged negligent administration of spinal anesthesia resulting in respiratory arrest and alleged hypoxic brain injury.

Plaintiff Jeanette was pregnant and went into premature labor. She was admitted to Northridge Medical Center under the care of Dr. Alinsod. Attempts were made to keep the fetus in utero to allow development of the fetal lungs. After the fetus suffered cardiac decelerations, it was determined that an urgent cesarean section would be performed.

Dr. Jefferson was the on-call anesthesiologist who had evaluated Ms. Johntee earlier that day regarding anesthesia. He decided that spinal anesthesia would be the most appropriate method of anesthesia for this particular patient.

Shortly after spinal anesthesia was administered, the patient became hypotensive and suffered respiratory arrest. The patient was resuscitated and then intubated by Dr. Jefferson and taken to the intensive care unit. Neurology work up indicated mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy with good prognositic signs.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiffs contended that general or epidural anesthesia was required by the standard of care and that spinal anesthesia was contraindicated due to the patient's fluid overload status.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Dr. Jefferson contended that this patient was a high risk anesthesia patient given her premature labor, age, history of smoking, obesity, and short neck. It was his opinion that spinal anesthesia was the most appropriate method of anesthesia for the situation. Ms. Johntee's arrest, while unfortunate, was not the result of any act or omission by Dr. Jefferson. Moreover, Dr. Jefferson contended that Ms. Johntee did not suffer any injury.

Settlement Discussions

There were no demands and no offers.

Specials in Evidence

$500,000.

Damages

Plaintiff claimed she suffered a mild brain injury which caused short term memory loss and problems with executive functioning.

Other Information

PLEASE PROVIDE RESULT DATE _________________________ PLEASE PROVIDE LOCATION OF EACH EXPERT I.E., CITY AND STATE THANK YOU

Deliberation

approximately 30 minutes.

Poll

11-1

Length

6.5 days