Paul Dugre v. Lucien Jassy, M.D., Gonzalo R. Ballon-Landa, M.D., et al.
Published: Jul. 6, 1996 | Result Date: May 20, 1996 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 620602 – $0
Judge
Court
San Diego Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Jeffrey E. Galpin M.D.
(medical)
Defendant
William P. Curran Jr.
(medical)
Ted W. Gay
(medical)
Charles F. Landers
(medical)
Facts
On November 2, 1988, the plaintiff, Paul DuGre, M.D., a 66-year-old physician, was treated at Mercy Hospital by defendants Gonzalo R. Ballon-Landa, M.D. and Lucien Jassy, M.D. (now deceased) for severe pneumonia. The plaintiff was further diagnosed as suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome ("ARDS"). The plaintiff's hospital course from February 2, 1988 through June 23, 1988 was complicated due to the advanced stage of his pneumonia upon admission. In addition to his pneumonia, the plaintiff also developed an empyema, an abscess, pneumothoraces and a reaction to the drug, Septra, which induced hepatitis. The plaintiff was comatose during most of his hospitalization and required ventilatory support. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendants based on medical negligence theories of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
No settlement demands and offers were exchanged.
Specials in Evidence
$155,742.20 $307,939 $136,874 $50,000
Damages
The plaintiff asked the jury for $1,275,055.
Injuries
The plaintiff alleged that he sustained permanent immunosuppression and avascular necrosis of his hips requiring bilateral hip replacement, chronic neck and back pain and permanent brain damage caused by hypoxia as a result of the defendants' medical negligence.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately six years and four months after the case was filed. Per defense counsel, the severity of the plaintiff's illness upon admission to the hospital and the study of the time line, indicated no violation of standard of care and was a probable major factor in the jury's determination.
Deliberation
1+ hours
Poll
Not Taken
Length
11 days
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