Irvine : Judge Upholds $2-Million Malpractice Award
An Orange County judge has upheld the $2-million judgment awarded last week to a former Irvine man who suffered brain damage and other injuries after being treated at UCI Medical Center following an auto accident in 1979.
Superior Court Judge James R. Ross refused a defense request to reduce the award, finding that the state law limit of $250,000 for pain and suffering damages in medical malpractice cases applies for each act or omission that caused injury.
Arthur Zuniga, 47, who now lives in Palm Desert, was left unattended for three hours with a tube in his throat before his first surgery, leading to a loss of oxygen, further injuries and 30 more operations, said his attorney, Marjorie W. Day of Tustin.
Attorneys for the hospital said they plan to appeal.
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