Confidential
Settlement – $162,500Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Pasadena
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Facts
On May 28, 1993, the plaintiff, a 57-year-old plumber, entered the defendant hospital because of abdominal pain. Over the next 48 hours, acute inflammation of the gall bladder was diagnosed and a laparoscopic cholecystostomy was scheduled. The plaintiff alleged that while being transferred from his bed to a gurney in preparation for transport to the operating room, the defendant's employees pulled him abruptly from his hospital bed to the gurney resulting in injury to the plaintiff's nerves innervating his left leg. The plaintiff mentioned this new pain to his wife who accompanied him to the operating room and a nurse who placed a pillow beneath the plaintiff's left knee to reduce the discomfort. After the surgery, the plaintiff could not walk because of pain in his left foot. He also experienced numbness in the left thigh and hyperthesia in the left leg. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant hospital based on negligence and medical malpractice theories of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a $200,000 settlement demand. The defendant made a $75,000 settlement offer in an early voluntary settlement conference.
Specials in Evidence
(covered by insurance) $75,000 $150,000 to 227,000 $_________
Injuries
The plaintiff alleged that he sustained permanent loss of ability to ambulate (requiring the use of a cane) and loss of ability to work because of continued pain in the left foot on sitting for more than a short period of time as a result of the accident.
Other Information
The settlement was reached approximately one and a half years after the case was filed.
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390