John Fisher v. Houshang Yazdi, M.D. and Providence Holy Cross Medical Center
Published: Mar. 11, 2000 | Result Date: Feb. 4, 2000 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: PC020646 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior San Fernando
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Mark S. Ravis
(Law Office of Mark S. Ravis)
Defendant
Richard G. Harris
(Dummit, Buchholz & Trapp)
Experts
Plaintiff
Joyce Elaine Pickersgill
(technical)
Ronald Andiman
(medical)
Mary Jean Lockard
(medical)
Thomas J. Grogan M.D.
(medical)
Sandra Schneider
(technical)
Chi Sheng Zee
(medical)
Defendant
Jacob E. Tauber M.D.
(medical)
Kathy Davis
(medical)
Facts
In December 1996, plaintiff John Fisher, a 44-year-old drug and alcohol addiction counselor and part-time
chiropractor, sought treatment for complaints of low back pain, radiating down his left leg. Attempts at
conservative treatment and pain blocks were unsuccessful.
In June 1997, Fisher agreed to a lumbar laminectomy at L4-5, to be performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr.
Houshang Yazdi at Holy Cross Medical Center. PlaintiffÆs experts acknowledged that Dr. Yazdi performed the
surgery appropriately and that it relieved some of FisherÆs complaints. Plaintiff criticized post-surgical events
and care in the hospital in the days following the surgery.
Two days after the surgery, a surgical drain placed by Dr. Yazdi inadvertently came out.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a C.C.P. Section 998 demand of $550,000 as to Dr. Yazdi and $250,000 as to Holy Cross Medical Center.
Specials in Evidence
$67,750 $774,897 $66,912
Injuries
The plaintiff claimed permanent bowel and bladder incontinence, sexual impotence and perineal numbness.
Deliberation
2+ hours
Poll
9-3 (Dr. Yazdi), 10-2 (Providence Holy Cross Medical Center)
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