Charles L. Qualls v. Sanagaram S. Shantharam, M.D.; County of Fresno
Published: Apr. 4, 1998 | Result Date: Oct. 8, 1997 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 5814645 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
Fresno Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
James J. Mele
(Mele Law Office)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Rick A. Sarkisian
(technical)
Paul D. Holtom
(medical)
Gerald D. Martin
(technical)
Ghol B. Ha'Eri
(medical)
Defendant
Loretta B. Chou
(medical)
Facts
On Sept. 24, 1995, plaintiff Charles Qualls, a 54-year-old gardener and lanscaper, fell from a ladder while painting his son's home, fracturing his ankle. The plaintiff was a diabetic who had required insulin for 30 years. He was taken to the defendant County of Fresno's Valley Medical Center where he underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture performed by defendant Dr. Shantharam. He was discharged from the hospital on Sept. 27, 1995. Between Sept. 27, 1995 and March 6, 1996, the plaintiff was seen 11 times by the defendant, the Chief of Orthopedics, or physicians under their supervision. Between Dec. 1, 1995, and Feb. 2, 1996, he also received wound care from a therapist at a facility closer to his home by order of the defendant. At the end of December 1995, the therapist noted pus in the wound. The defendant was informed of this on Jan. 2, 1996, and on Jan. 3, the plaintiff was seen at Valley Medical Center. On Jan. 4, the defendant returned the plaintiff to surgery for removal of the hardware, drainage of the pus and irrigation of the wound. Thereafter, the wound appeared to heal. By March 6, 1996, the defendant found that the wound was "healing very well." X-rays taken on that date were read by Shantharam as indicating satisfactory healing. On July 10, 1996, the plaintiff returned to the medical center with a collapsed left ankle. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendants based on a medical negligence theory of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
No settlement discussions took place and the judge cancelled the settlement conference.
Specials in Evidence
$________ (claimed) over $25,000, after SSI
Damages
The plaintiff claimed in excess of $250,000.
Injuries
The plaintiff alleged that his ankle was completely destroyed with almost no range of motion, and may require future amputation.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately nine months after the case was filed. POST TRIAL MOTIONS: The plaintiff's motion for a new trial was denied.
Deliberation
1½ days
Poll
9-3
Length
10 days
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