Richard Lewis v. Canyon Heights Family Practice Medical Group, et al.
Published: Feb. 3, 1996 | Result Date: Dec. 28, 1995 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 710456 – $455,643
Judge
Court
Orange Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Dennis K. Ames
(La Follette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames)
Experts
Plaintiff
Wayne H. Lancaster
(technical)
Peter Gaal
(medical)
Walter Ogden
(medical)
Defendant
George A. Macer Jr., M.D.
(medical)
Donald Bittner
(medical)
Dallas C. Long
(medical)
Samuel Wilson
(medical)
David Crnic
(medical)
Oscar F. Jackson
(medical)
Charles S. Lane
(medical)
Theodore Vavoulis
(technical)
Facts
On April 30, 1992, the plaintiff, Richard Lewis, a 55-year-old homicide investigator for the City of Fullerton Police Department, contracted a serious case of poison oak while looking for a murder weapon in an open field. The poison oak was treated by the defendant, Dr. Walter Ogden, from May 4, 1992 to May 22, 1992. Despite complications, including swelling and impaired circulation to the left hand, Dr. Ogden failed to refer the plaintiff to a vascular specialist until May 22, 1992. The plaintiff saw the vascular specialist on May 22, 1992. The vascular specialist recommended an arteriogram, which the plaintiff refused. The plaintiff was admitted to St. Jude's Hospital on May 23, 1992, and was subsequently treated by defendant doctors, Oscar Jackson, M.D. and Bruce Watanabe, M.D. The plaintiff alleged that he lost his thumb and first two fingers of the left hand due to gangrene. The plaintiff brought this action against all the defendants based on a medical negligence theory of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a $500,000 settlement demand. The defendants made no settlement offers.
Specials in Evidence
none claimed (paid by collateral source) $500,000 $___________ none claimed (to be paid by collateral source)
Injuries
Loss of thumb and first two fingers of left hand.
Result
as to Drs. Jackson and Watanabe
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately two years and seven months after the complaint was filed.
Deliberation
2 days and a half days
Poll
12-0 (defense verdict in favor of defendant doctors, Oscar Jackson, M.D. and Bruce Watanabe, M.D.), 9-3 (plaintiff's verdict against the defendants, Walter Ogden, M.D. and Canyon Heights Family Practice Medical Group)
Length
14 days
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