A Riverside County jury has sided with the victim in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Trent Hughes filed a medical malpractice claim against Christopher Pham, a neurosurgeon at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. Hughes is claiming that Pham failed to treat his injury in a timely matter, which resulted in paraplegia.

Hughes came to the hospital after falling off his vehicle while off-roading. Complaining of searing pain in his lower back and a tingling sensation in his feet, Pham should have reported to the hospital within 20 minutes of Hughes' arrival. Hughes’ lawsuit states that Pham, who was on call that day, did not examine Hughes until the next day, and did not operate on Hughes until two days after he was admitted to the hospital. By the time Hughes finally received treatment it was too late. Hughes is now paralyzed from the waist down.

Hughes’ attorneys also provided evidence that Pham planted documents to make it appear like he was at the hospital, when in actuality he wasn’t. 

Hughes was awarded $16.5 million in by the jury. However, due to California’s cap on medical malpractice damages, Hughes will only receive $500,000 of a portion of the jury award totaling $3.75 million.

Have you suffered an injury or debilitating condition due to the negligence of a doctor, hospital, or medical professional? If so, a  San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus can help you pursue a medical malpractice claim. To learn more about your legal rights under California medical malpractice laws, please contact the office at (888) 203-PAIN to schedule a FREE consultation to discuss your case.