WSH&B ANNOUNCES DEFENSE VERDICT FOR ST. JOHN’S HEALTH CENTER IN MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CIVIC TRIAL
Sep 9, 2014
Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman
Los Angeles, CA (Law Firm Newswire) September 9, 2014 – In a highly publicized medical practice case, stemming from a 2009 hospitalization of an 89-year-old at St. John’s Health Center, a jury of 12 reached a unanimous verdict on behalf of the hospital, finding no negligence. In the original complaint, filed in 2010, causes of action were also brought for elder abuse and general negligence. After years of litigation, the matter proceeded to a two-week trial in the West District Superior Court located in Santa Monica.
“This is an important win for Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman,” said WSH&B partner Brian Hoffman. “Our health care litigation team is built on proven trial talent and the ability to deliver consistent results, pointing to Constance Endelicato’s successful defense of St. John’s.” With over 25 years of litigation experience defending healthcare professionals and hospitals, Endelicato has tried more than 60 cases to verdict. Endelicato recently joined WSH&B with Hoffman and a team of lawyers to form a new health care litigation defense group.
The plaintiff claimed that St. John’s Health Center was negligent by providing inadequate care to his mother in 2009 when she was admitted to the hospital for chest pains and hypertension. The lawsuit sought $1.5 million in damages.
Plaintiff alleged that she was admitted to the hospital on a routine basis with complaints of chest pain. After being admitted for one day for observation, just prior to her discharge, she suffered a fall, resulting in need for extended admission. During plaintiff’s course in the hospital, she suffered a urinary tract infection, as well as a deadly staph infection which invaded her heart causing endocarditis and which eventually spread to her spine, resulting in osteomyelitis. Plaintiff alleged that the infections suffered were as a result of the nurses’ care and caused her prolonged and multiple hospitalizations and permanent injury. The defendant hospital, supported by nursing and infectious disease experts, proved otherwise. The jury reached a unanimous verdict within hours of commencement of deliberation.
About Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP
Founded in 1997 by David F. Wood, Kevin D. Smith, Stephen J. Henning and Daniel A. Berman, WSH&B is today one of the fastest growing firms in the United States. Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman currently employs 150 attorneys in 15 offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington. WSH&B is also one of the most diverse firms in the country. Approximately 44% of WSH&B attorneys are female, 42% of WSH&B partners are female, and 25% of WSH&B attorneys are minority. With active practices in medical malpractice and healthcare, commercial, construction, environmental, professional liability, employment, real estate, transportation, toxic tort and intellectual property litigation, WSH&B’s attorneys have tried over 860 cases to verdict with a 92% success rate. For more information: Deborah Lawrence, 760-809-2622, dms_lawrence@hotmail.com.
