Woman Left a Quadriplegic Sues Hospital for Malpractice
A woman filed a malpractice lawsuit against West Anaheim Medical Center on Thursday, contending she was left a quadriplegic when doctors broke her neck trying to resuscitate her during a heart attack in 1993.
Francis Holliday Baker was permanently paralyzed as a result of negligence, according to the suit filed in Orange County Superior Court. The suit names the hospital and five physicians as co-defendants. Her husband, Ronnie Baker, is listed as co-plaintiff.
Baker, who suffered from diabetes, visited the hospital Nov. 11, 1993, because she was lethargic and had a low blood-sugar level, according to the lawsuit.
At the hospital, Baker went into cardiac arrest and doctors performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the lawsuit says. Baker’s neck was broken during the procedure, the suit charges.
Hospital spokeswoman Debra Culver declined to comment on the matter Thursday night, saying the hospital does not discuss pending litigation.
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