Angelica L. Lopez v. Ronald Wong
Published: May 10, 2005 | Result Date: Feb. 25, 2005 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 04C0025 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
Kings Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Dennis R. Thelen
(LeBeau Thelen LLP)
Experts
Plaintiff
Ellis C. Berkowitz
(medical)
Defendant
Daniel Hartman
(medical)
Facts
Angelica Lopez, who was 12 years old at the time, was referred by her treating physician to otolaryngologist Ronald Wong for chronic ear infections on Dec. 10, 2002. Wong's examination revealed an infected ear with a perforated eardrum. He scheduled her for tympanoplasty to be performed on Jan. 13, 2003. Lopez developed a post-auricular wound infection and resulting abscess following the procedure. This compromised the blood flow to her left ear, which eventually resulted in Lopez losing the top half of her left ear. A second otolaryngologist performed a revision tympanoplasty on Oct. 22, 2003. Although that surgeon operated on a relatively "dry" ear, Lopez's ear reperforated on several occasions over the next 16 months. She continued to experience drainage and bleeding during that time.
Settlement Discussions
Lopez demanded $325,000, reduced to $30,000.
Specials in Evidence
$120,000 for reconstructive procedures
Injuries
Lopez lost the top half of her left ear. She will need four plastic surgery procedures to reconstruct her left ear. She also claimed that she became depressed as a result of her disfigurement and required counseling.
Deliberation
three hours
Poll
9-3
Length
four days
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