A California woman has initiated a lawsuit against a medical facility following a deeply distressing experience during an emergency C-section that allegedly occurred without the administration of anesthesia. The lawsuit details that the patient, identified as Laura Jennings, experienced severe pain during the procedure, ultimately resulting in her loss of consciousness after expressing that she “felt everything” during the surgery.
According to court filings, Jennings and her partner, Mark Thompson, arrived at the Riverside Medical Center in California last autumn, ready for labor induction, as Jennings was over 41 weeks pregnant. A few hours into the process, medical staff reported an inability to detect the fetal heartbeat, prompting physician Dr. Emily Sanders to call for an emergency C-section.
Prior to the surgery, Jennings claims that the doctor applied a substance to her abdomen, which was presumed to be a local anesthetic. However, she asserts that she experienced excruciating pain as the incision was made. “I could hear myself screaming and then I just blacked out from the pain,” Jennings reported. She recalls pleading with the medical team that she felt the effects of the epidural wearing off, but the staff insisted on proceeding with the surgery, leading to a chaotic environment in the operating room. Court documents reveal that the anesthesiologist was repeatedly paged, yet the procedure commenced before their arrival.
Dr. Sanders’ post-operative notes explicitly state that the incision was made without anesthesia, highlighting the troubling nature of this case. Jennings’ fiancé, Thompson, was barred from entering the operating room, and he expressed disbelief at the lack of anesthesia used during such a critical procedure.
Their daughter, Mia, is now healthy and thriving at seven months old; however, this traumatic experience has raised significant concerns about patient safety and care protocols. The couple is seeking $5.75 million in damages due to alleged medical malpractice and emotional distress stemming from the incident.
In response to the lawsuit, Riverside Medical Center issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to patient safety and quality of care, asserting that anesthesia was administered prior to the procedure, despite contradicting evidence from the medical report and the couple’s claims.
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In summary, Laura Jennings’ lawsuit against Riverside Medical Center sheds light on the grave implications of inadequate anesthesia during emergency procedures, raising critical questions about medical protocols and patient rights.