Crescenia Wallis v. Virginia Lee, et al.
Published: May 25, 2002 | Result Date: Feb. 26, 2002 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 243475SPC Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
Kern Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Jennifer R. Jacobs
(Office of the U.S. Attorney)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
James Heaps
(medical)
Defendant
James Macer
(medical)
Facts
The plaintiff was first seen by the defendant on Nov. 1, 1999 following a referral from her primary care physician
for a huge mass arising from the uterine fundus and extending into the abdomen. The mass also occluded the
right uterer at the pelvic inlet and also likely compromised the left ureter. Dr. LeeÆs plan was to perform a total
abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Consent to the surgery was obtained. The
consent form signed by the plaintiff set forth the risks of the procedure including possible injury to the bladder,
bowel and blood vessels as well as the other risks.
Surgery took place on Nov. 30, 1999. Estimated blood loss during the surgery was 1,700 cc. The defendant
contended that during the surgery, Dr. Lee perforated the patientÆs rectum while removing her cervix. Due to a
low hematocrit and low hemoglobin, the plaintiff was transfused and transferred to the ICU.
Two days later, the plaintiff had bright red blood from her rectum and a colorectal surgeon was consulted. A
flexible sigmoid was done which showed a perforation of the rectum. The perforation was repaired. A
colostomy was performed and the plaintiff was discharged.
The plaintiff was readmitted approximately two and one half monthÆs later and the
colostomy was reversed.
Injuries
Side pain, surgery to repair the perforation and subsequent hospitalization and surgery to reverse the colostomy and having a colostomy bag for two and one half months.
Deliberation
one hour
Poll
11-1 (no negligence)
Length
six days
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