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Verdicts and Settlements

$1.781 Million Settlement - Failure to Diagnose

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: Gillin, Jacobson and Wilson, by Edwin J. Wilson, Jr.

DEFENDANT ATTORNEY: Gordon, Waltz, DeFraga, Watrous and Pezzaglia, Martinez, by Allen DeFraga

PLAINTIFF MEDICAL:
Walter J. Treanor M.D. (Physical Medicine) Reno, Nevada
Victor I. Reus M.S. (Psychiatrist) San Francisco
Peter A. Fitzgerald M.D (Endocrinologist) San Francisco

DEFENDANT MEDICAL:
Terry Toronto M.D. (Psychiatrist) Concord
George Woods M.D. (Psychiatrist) Martinez
Dana Slawson M.D. (Family Practice) Martinez

PLAINTIFF EXPERT:
Joanna Moss Ph.D. (Economist) Berkeley

DEFENDANT EXPERT:
None

TRIAL JUDGE:
Hon. Gary E. Strankman

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: Plaintiff, 54-year-old housewife from Richmond, contended that she, as a diabetic, was not given proper medical care at the Richmond Jail; that she was transported to Contra Costa County Hospital where the doctors failed to adequately diagnose and/or follow her condition; and that she was rendered comatose.

Defendant City of Richmond settled for $600,000 on the day of the trial.

Defendant County contended that its doctors and hospital attendants acted within the standard of care and were unable to diagnose the problem because there was insufficient information communicated by the personnel of the City of Richmond.

Plaintiff attorney did not submit a specific figure to the jury.
Jury out six hours after an 11 day trial.

INJURIES: Plaintiff was rendered comatose as a result of a prolonged hypoglycemic episode developed during her stay at the County Hospital. Plaintiff is in a permanent comatose condition.

Defendant contended that the plaintiff's condition was masked by other symptoms, could not be diagnosed and that all employees acted within the appropriate standard of care.

SPECIALS: Medical to date $118,434.11. Future Medical of $85,000 per year.

SETTLEMENT TALKS: Demand $1,600,000 with an indication of $1,400,000. Offer $3,000,000. New Money

RESULT: Plaintiff verdict $1,718,434.11. Reduced by the sum of the prior settlement of $618,434.11 to $1,118,434.11.

Motion for a new trial not made.