Nora Maria Requeza v. County of Alameda, Alameda County Medical Center, Efren Roque
Published: Jul. 13, 2004 | Result Date: Mar. 27, 2004 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: RG03088643 Verdict – $50,000
Judge
Court
Alameda Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Rebecca J. Freeman
(Freeman & Freeman)
Matthew C. Freeman
(Freeman & Freeman)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Robert R. Celli
(medical)
Facts
Nora Requeza, 42, underwent a hysterectomy at Highland Hospital in 1991. Following the surgery, Requeza began suffering pain in the abdomen which she believed was related to the hysterectomy. She did not seek medical care for the pain until 1995. At that time, she consulted Dr. Gabriel, a family practitioner, but did not inform him of the history of abdominal pain. The diagnosis was hypertension. Requeza did not seek medical attention again until 2002 when she was presented at Fairmont Hospital with abdominal pain. An ultrasound revealed a mass of uncertain nature. A CT-scan revealed the mass to be remnants of a surgical sponge. During exploratory surgery, the mass which was the size of a grapefruit, was removed. The remnants of the sponge were inside the mass. Requeza recovered after the surgery. She filed a complaint alleging that Highland Hospital breached the standard of care by failing to remove the sponge in 1991.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff demanded $175,000. The defendant offered $25,000.
Damages
General damages.
Injuries
The plaintiff suffered pain from 1992 to 2002 and additional surgery.
Result
Judgment against defendant Alameda County Medical Center only.
Deliberation
five hours
Poll
9-3 (damages), 12-0 (claim statute)
Length
three days
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390