Facts

Cendy Guadarrama and Minh Nguyen sued Caroline Conner M.D., Hai Pham M.D., Memorial Healthtech Laboratories, Fountain Valley Regional Medical Center, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, involving allegations of medical malpractice.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff Guadarrama was allegedly under the care of defendants during her pregnancy. On March 5, 2014, plaintiff presented to the hospital for a routine prenatal appointment. She was about 23 weeks pregnant at the time, and weighed 111 pounds. Her urine test appeared normal. On April 1, she called the doctor's office with complaints of vomiting, nausea, and dehydration. She was allegedly told that her symptoms were not related to her pregnancy or the baby. That day, she presented to the doctor with sore throat that had persevered for several days. She weighed 102 pounds. Two days later, she returned to the doctor and weighed 98 pounds. On April 4, plaintiff's symptoms persisted and her weight dropped to 95 pounds. Plaintiff was subsequently admitted to the hospital. While at the hospital, the staff allegedly ignored plaintiff's call light for several hours. A prenatal consultation performed on April 5, revealed that their baby had died. Plaintiff was later diagnosed with diabetic keteoacidosis, and eventually discharged on April 21.

Plaintiff allegedly lost her baby due to her doctor's negligent handing of her diabetic condition. Plaintiffs sued defendants alleging they rendered negligent care in failing to, among other things, inform the hospital and the doctor's involved of her diabetic condition and in failing to consider her dramatic weight loss. Plaintiff asserted causes of action for medical negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress (bystander theory), and negligent infliction of emotional distress (direct victim).

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Defendant disputed plaintiff's allegations.

Result

The parties reached a $145,000 settlement.