Crash Victim Sues Hospital

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March 31st, 2006

"Crash Victim Sues Hospital For Medical Malpractice and Negligence"

A woman filed a lawsuit against San Joaquin County in California, its public hospital, and doctors on charges of medical malpractice after her serious auto accident last March.

Roberta Sanchez claims the injuries she suffered as a result of the crash would not have been as serious if the doctors and the hospital did not mistreat her.

“She’s essentially paralyzed,” said her lawyer, Lydia Brandt. “We believe, had she been diagnosed early, she may have not suffered any permanent injuries at all.”

The lawsuit also names Healthcare Services Agency and Emergency Medical Services as defendants claiming medical malpractice and negligence-related accusations.

Last year, Sanchez and her 20-year-old niece were driving on the freeway and swerved to avoid a small animal. The car went down an embankment and both women lost consciousness.

The next morning, her niece woke up and called for help. Sanchez was rushed to the emergency room and paramedics told her she had fractured an arm, had hypothermia, and had deep cuts all over her body, which caused deformation.

According to the suit, the doctors at the hospital performed several tests on Sanchez, but misread the results. They believed Sanchez was not suffering from a spinal cord injury, which she allegedly has.

The next morning, Sanchez couldn’t feel her toes and was in excruciating pain, but a doctor took off her immobilization device and put a sling around her neck leaving her neck unprotected. The suit alleges the doctors did nothing to ease Sanchez’s pain.

Later that day, Sanchez went to another hospital and got an MRI. The test results revealed severe damage to her spine and she was once again immobilized.

The lawsuit claims the doctors at the San Joaquin County hospital failed to properly diagnose and treat Sanchez’s serious injuries. She is currently paralyzed in both legs, in one arm, and is partially disfigured.

Sanchez seeks an undetermined amount of compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and attorney fees.