Woman Claims Kaiser Bungle Caused Leakage

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (CN) - Surgeons botched a woman's hysterectomy, opened her bladder without her consent, and "elected not to repair the problems noted and ended the surgery," leaving her with urine leaking from her body ever since, she claims in court.

In December 2011, Yolanda Cohill "went into surgery for a hysterectomy. Instead, plaintiff underwent a LAVH (laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy) converted to open hysterectomy, and during the procedure, without her consent, plaintiff's bladder was opened and the laparoscopy was abandoned. TAH (total abdominal hysterectomy) was then performed. Defendants knew there were serious complications with the surgery, yet consciously elected not to repair the problems and ended the surgery," the complaint alleges. (parentheticals added)

Over the next several months, Cohill learned the extent of the damage, the complaint continues. "Rodney A. Parker, M.D., as the primary surgeon, with My-Linh Kieu Pham, M.D. assisting, negligently and without plaintiff's consent, cut, battered, caused fistulas and injured plaintiff's uterus, bladder, vagina, abdomen, urethra, and ureter, causing an open wound into plaintiff's abdomen cavity," the complaint states.

"Thereafter, multiple procedures and surgeries were performed by defendants," the complaint continues. These included a procedure in which "Sangku Kang, M.D., attempted to correct some of the damage by inserting a new stent in the left urethral area," which was soon removed because it "had fallen through some hole created by defendants, and each of them, and traveled from the left urethral area down to the urinary bladder and into the vagina," according to the complaint.

The complaint states that, "plaintiff, suffers with a urethral obstruction, has vaginal bleeding, is incontinent, has urine uncontrollably leaking from her body to where a percutaneous nephrostomy tube was surgically placed in her for many months and she has undergone multiple surgeries in an attempt to correct defendants, and each of their, malpractice. Plaintiff was left with carrying a bag that holds the urine as it exits her body through the nephrostomy tube. Plaintiff suffers with constant infections, requiring continual antibiotics, and due to the intake of constant medications, vomits regularly. Plaintiff has suffered with urinary leakage from the vagina and has to wear diapers."

Plaintiff seeks general damages, medical and incidental expenses, loss of earnings and earning capacity, prejudgment interest and costs of suit.

She is represented by Cynthia Hafif of Ontario, Calif.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit