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Personal Injury
Medical Malpractice
Negligent Surgery

Martha Rodriguez v. Alejandro Sanchez

Published: Jan. 13, 2004 | Result Date: Oct. 14, 2003 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: GC025778 Arbitration –  $0

Court

L.A. Superior Pasadena


Attorneys

Plaintiff

John P. DeGomez


Defendant

Mark M. Rudy


Experts

Plaintiff

Geoffrey A. Smith
(medical)

Defendant

Harold P. Clavin
(medical)

Facts

On Feb. 23, 1999, the plaintiff, Martha Rodriguez, a 44-year-old nurses' aide presented to the office of Dr. Alejandro Sanchez, a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, regarding a possible facelift. After this initial consultation, she did not return to the office again until late May. Dr. Sanchez performed a facelift on the plaintiff at his surgical center on the morning of June 3, 1999. The time of the surgery had been moved up at the request of the doctor. Later in the day, he was planning on traveling to Mexico because of a family illness. The plaintiff followed up post-operatively for a few weeks, and the office records indicated that she was healing appropriately. The records suggested that the surgery itself had been uneventful.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a pre-arbitration C.C.P. Section 998 demand for $85,000. No offer was made by the defendant.

Specials in Evidence

$9,000 to $15,000

Injuries

Scarring behind both ears with discoloration, requiring surgical correction.

Other Information

The arbitration was held before retired Judge Robert A. Wenke, neutral; Bruce D. MacLachlan, plaintiff; and Kenneth R. Pivo, defense.


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