IMPROPER REPAIR OF THIRD-DEGREE TEAR FOLLOWING VAGINAL BIRTH
SPECIALTY: General Surgery
ALLEGATION: 36-year-old female presented to the hospital in active labor with her second baby. The patient gave birth to a healthy baby boy but suffered a third-degree vaginal tear during delivery. Due to the complexity of the laceration and repair, a general surgeon was called in to assist.
Plaintiffs argued that the general surgeon failed to identify the anatomy/structures involved in the repair and performed the repair incorrectly, and as a result, the patient experienced significant anal incontinence.
The defense argued that the repair failed in the absence of any negligence resulting in injury.
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEYS: James Holman and Colleen Durkin Peterson, Holman Law (Tacoma, WA)
PLAINTIFF EXPERTS: Juan Vargas, MD, OB/GYN (Oakland, CA), Marianna Alperin, MD, OB/GYN (La Jolla, CA)
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS: Jennifer Crisera and Sarah Silverman, Bennett Bigelow and Leedom (Seattle, WA)
DEFENSE EXPERT: Kelly Clinch, MD, General Surgery (Kirkland, WA)
RESULT: Defense Verdict, Pierce County
IMPROPERLY PERFORMED C-SECTION RESULTING IN EMOTIONAL INJURY
SPECIALTY: OB/GYN
ALLEGATION: 36-year-old female presented to Labor and Delivery for a scheduled C-section of her second baby. The patient alleges that the obstetrician proceeded with the incision in spite of the patient yelling that she could feel everything and was in pain.
The patient claimed she suffered PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and was unable to return to work as a result.
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: David Williams (Bellevue, WA)
PLAINTIFF EXPERTS: Andrew Lin, MD, OB/GYN, Robert Ertner, MD, Anesthesiology
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS: Elizabeth Leedom and Jenny Churas, Bennett Bigelow and Leedom (Seattle, WA)
DEFENSE EXPERTS: Katherine Van Kessell, MD, OB/GYN, David Hepner, MD, Anesthesiology
RESULT: Defense Verdict, Pierce County