Lieu Phang Ngoc and Andy Nhan Phuong v. Huntington Memorial Hospital, et al.
Published: Oct. 23, 1993 | Result Date: Oct. 14, 1993 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: GC000077 – $0
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Pasadena
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Robert C. Reback
(Reback, McAndrews & Blessey LLP)
Experts
Plaintiff
Malcolm Miller
(medical)
Barbara Swartz
(medical)
Defendant
David A. Swan
(medical)
Denise Rubino
(medical)
Ian Ross Donald
(medical)
H. Rex Greene
(medical)
Facts
On May 25, 1989, Plaintiff Lieu Phang Ngoc Phuong, a 30-year-old registered nurse, was delivering her second child. Defendant anesthesiologist applied the initial epidural anesthetic. Forty minutes later, severe fetal distress was noted on the fetal monitor. The obstetrician ordered a crash C-section. Through the existing epidural catheter, another faster-acting anesthetic was added, and the incision was made two minutes later. Shortly after delivery, Plaintiff vomitted, was short of breath, and went into a seizure. Plaintiff was intubated, ventilated, and went into full arrest; closed-chest compression was then begun. Within four minutes, Plaintiff's blood pressure and heart beat were restored. By that time, Plaintiff was profoundly brain damaged. The baby was born severely depressed, but was successfully resuscitated. The baby is now normal. Plaintiff is in a persistent vegetative state.
Settlement Discussions
Defendants contend they made an offer of $250,000 and Plaintiff demanded $1,000,000 policy.
Specials in Evidence
$750,000 $300,000 $1,000,000 $9,000,000
Injuries
Severe and major brain damage to the mother; permanent and persistent vegetative state requiring lifetime attendant care.
Deliberation
1.5 days
Poll
9-3, 10-2
Length
16 days
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