Payout OKd over unwanted surgery
The Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to pay a $437,000 settlement after doctors at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center removed a woman’s uterus without her consent.
Engrid Lewis was admitted to the public hospital in September 2006, suffering from fibroid tissue in her uterus, according to the settlement papers. Doctors gave her a range of options, including removal of her uterus. Lewis chose to have the affected tissue excised without removing her uterus.
“While the county will argue that the proper medical treatment was to remove the patient’s uterus, plaintiff will argue that the removal of her uterus was against her wishes,” according to a case summary.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
