Facts

Plaintiff Ara Inezian, 67, was diagnosed with prostate cancer localized to his prostate gland. He went to the City of Hope for laparoscopic robotic prostatectomy. This surgery occurred on March 21, 2006.

Nine days after the surgery, the plaintiff developed a blood clot in his left calf. He was re-admitted at the hospital and diagnosed with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). This caused pain and swelling and necessitated Coumadin and TED hose stockings for one and a half years on the calf.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiff contended that defendant Roger Satterthwaite, M.D., the fellow assisting in the surgery, neglected to place sequential compression devices on the plaintiff's legs during the surgery. Therefore, he was not provided with prophylaxis for DVT and ended up developing his blood clot.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
The defendants claimed that medical records made clear that the sequential compression devices or leg squeezers were placed on the patient's legs during surgery. The plaintiff was under general anesthesia during the procedure and obviously could therefore have no personal knowledge regarding whether the sequential compression devices were on his legs.

Damages

Plaintiff was a plumbing contractor and alleged lost earnings of $40,000 for one and a half years of being out of work from his DVT. Plaintiff claimed $250,000 in general damages.

Injuries

DVT.

Result

Defense verdict.

Deliberation

90 minutes

Poll

12-0

Length

five days