$16 Million Jury Verdict Entered in San Diego Medical Malpractice Action

SAN DIEGO LEGAL NEWS — San Diego Superior Court Judge Steven R. Denton entered formal judgment against Sharp Mary Birch Hospital and two of its doctors in an amount over $16 million in total damages following a nine-week trial where the hospital and two of its physicians were accused of practitioners of medical malpractice, wrongful death and intentional fraud in concealment of the real facts. Following the nine week trial, the jury returned a verdict in less than one full day finding that the hospital and its physicians had failed to properly care for 35-year-old Teresa Baily and her unborn baby after Ms. Baily was sent to the hospital on an emergency basis for a scheduled inducement following a problem that had developed with her amniotic fluid. The baby, a boy, became stuck in the birth canal with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck and died during the inducement procedure.

In awarding the damages, the jury not only found that the physicians at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital had failed in providing proper care while performing the inducement procedure, but that they also attempted to conceal the problems afterwards by making false statements to the parents and falsifying medical records. Stating the award was excessive, counsel for Sharp Healthcare have stated an intention to appeal the award.

Kelley Riedel is a Partner with Berman & Riedel, LLP, a California based plaintiffs’ civil litigation firm with extensive experience in handing catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death matters including cases arising from medical malpractice.


About Berman & Riedel, LLP firm managing partner attorney William M. Berman:

Attorney William M. Berman focuses his practice in the areas of catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death and elder abuse and neglect. Strictly a plaintiffs’ dedicated firm, he never represents insurance companies in the defense of claims. Mr. Berman’s firm remains staunchly committed to helping those who have suffered serious injury or loss due the negligence, intentional misconduct or wrongful acts of others.

Mr. Berman has grown his firm to what is considered one of the largest and most successful elder abuse/neglect practices within California. Through his continued successes in handling claims involving nursing home and elder abuse and neglect, Mr. Berman remains a prominent figure in advocating on behalf of this vulnerable class of citizens.

View full biography

Attorney Bill Berman

William M. Berman, Esquire
Berman & Riedel, LLP
12264 El Camino Real, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92130
ph: (858) 350-8855
fax: (858) 350-9855
email:
web: www.bermanlawyers.com