Carmelita A. Cirocco, et al. v. Prasad Mummaneni, et al.
Published: Apr. 6, 2002 | Result Date: Feb. 7, 2002 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: CIV191736 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
Ventura Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Michael D. Gonzalez
(Law Offices of Michael D. Gonzalez)
Experts
Plaintiff
George S. Howard Jr.
(Quarles & Brady)
(medical)
Kenneth Olson
(medical)
Defendant
Don Osterweil
(medical)
Daniel Cole
(medical)
Jeffrey F. Caren
(medical)
Facts
The plaintiffsÆ decedent, Rose Salim, a then 83-year-old woman with long-standing diabetes, heart disease, and a
long-time patient of defendant, Internist Prasad Mummaneni, M.D. was admitted to St. JohnÆs Regional
Medical Center in Oxnard on Aug. 1, 1998, with complaints of chest pain. She underwent triple bypass
surgery and a subsequent embolectomy. The patient was recovering when her primary care physician, Dr.
Mummaneni, returned from vacation and undertook management of the patientÆs care.
The patient remained in the hospital until Sep. 16, 1998. She was managed primarily by Dr. Mummaneni with
the assistance of other consultants including a gastroenterologist, Celio Cabansag, M.D. Dr. Cabansag was
asked to consult with the patient on Aug. 17, 1998, for her complaints of difficulty swallowing. Dr. Cabansag
noted that the patient appeared to be somewhat malnourished and offered tube feedings which the patient
refused. The patientÆs elder daughter who was at the hospital throughout the hospitalization denied this
conversation ever took place.
The patient remained at St. JohnÆs throughout August, until the last week of August, at which time Dr.
Mummaneni believed she was suffering from major depression and ordered her transfer to the psychiatric unit.
After a two-day stay in the psychiatric unit, she developed some heart rhythm problems and was transferred
back to the acute care floor. She remained under the care of Dr. Mummaneni and others until such time as Dr.
Mummaneni ordered her transfer to a skilled nursing facility. At the time of her transfer, the patient was barely
conscious, had multiple decubitus ulcers, was diagnosed with clinical depression, had significantly elevated
liver function studies, and had open wounds at her chest and leg where the sutures were gaping where the
veins were harvested from. She was recovering from pneumonia, had a central line placed, and was clinically
malnourished.
She passed away three and one-half days after being transferred to the skilled nursing
facility.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a demand of $650,000, and a subsequent demand of $249,000. There was no offer due to no consent.
Injuries
Elder abuse, including pain, suffering, confusion, and distress, from Aug. 10, 1998, until the date of death on Sep. 21, 1998, and the wrongful death of an 83-year-old woman leaving six adult children.
Result
Defense verdict.
Other Information
Plaintif made a demand of $650,000.00 and a subsequent demand of $249,000. There was no offer dur to no consent.
Deliberation
four hours
Length
nine days
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