Robert Lessard v. Lawrence McNamee, M.D.
Published: Feb. 12, 1994 | Result Date: Jan. 11, 1994 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: VC008742 – $0
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Norwalk
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Mark V. Franzen
(Carroll, Kelly, Trotter, Franzen, McBride & Peabody)
Experts
Plaintiff
Jiran Sarian
(medical)
Darwood B. Hance
(medical)
Gary Niditch
(medical)
Defendant
Thomas W. Broderick
(medical)
Robert McNamee
(medical)
Facts
Plaintiff Robert Lessard, a 51-year-old parts mover for McDonnell Douglas, was referred to Defendant radiologist Dr. Lawrence McNamee at Pioneer Hospital for contrast and non-contrast CT head scans on January 31, 1991, due to a history of right-sided tremors. The patient denied a history of allergic problems and had no contra-indication by history, to contrast material administration. Within approximately one minute of intravenous injection of 50cc of contrast material, the patient had a grand mal seizure. The code team at Pioneer Hospital was called and arrived in the room within several minutes, at which time the patient was intubated and given anti-seizure medication. Several minutes after the code team had arrived, the patient became apneic and pulses were not obtainable. Approximately 2 hours after the code blue was called, the patient was seen by neurologist Dr. Richard Graham, whose diagnostic impression was status epilipticus due to primary cerebral ischemia secondary to anaphylaxis versus primary idiosyncratic reaction in response to the contrast agent. An EEG done that day suggested severe diffused cerebral injury. Plaintiff remained at Pioneer Hospital until February 20, 1991, at which time he was transferred to LaPalma Neurologis Rehabilitation Center with a diagnosis of anoxic encephalopathy.
Settlement Discussions
Defendant contends they made no offers (no consent) and Plaintiff demanded $1,000,000.
Specials in Evidence
$129,000 $129,400 $414,800 $1,128,200
Injuries
Profound anoxia resulting in permanent brain damage requiring life-long custodial care; Plaintiff is completely disabled from returning to work.
Deliberation
4 hours
Poll
10-2
Length
7 days
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