A California woman is suing a hospital after a traumatic experience during an emergency C-section that allegedly occurred without anesthesia. According to a recent legal filing, the mother, named Jessica Lee, claims she was fully conscious and felt excruciating pain during the procedure. In her complaint, she states that she “felt everything” while undergoing surgery, eventually losing consciousness after “screaming in agony.”
The Lawsuit
Jessica and her partner, Mark Johnson, are pursuing a lawsuit for medical malpractice and emotional distress. The incident took place last fall at the Oceanside Medical Center, where Jessica arrived ready for induction, as she was over 41 weeks pregnant. Hours into the process, medical staff could no longer detect their baby’s heartbeat, prompting Dr. Lisa Grant to call for an emergency C-section.
Jessica’s Experience
In an interview, Jessica recounted the moments leading up to the surgery, explaining that she was under the impression that a local anesthetic was being applied to her abdomen. However, as the doctor started making incisions, she realized she could feel every cut. “It was terrifying. I couldn’t comprehend what was happening,” Jessica told reporters. “I started screaming and remember passing out from the pain.” Despite her pleas to the nurses that the epidural was fading, the surgical team insisted they had to proceed. “The chaos in the room was overwhelming,” she recalled.
Details from Court Documents
Court documents indicate that the anesthesiologist was still being called into the room when Dr. Grant instructed staff to “strap her down.” Following the surgery, Dr. Grant’s report confirmed that she performed the incision without anesthesia, waiting for the anesthesiologist to arrive afterward.
Mark’s Perspective
While emergency C-sections are critical and often executed swiftly, the thought of a mother enduring such an agonizing experience is deeply troubling. Mark described his own distress as he stood outside the operating room, unable to support Jessica. “I kept asking the nurse holding me back, ‘There’s no way they cut her without anesthesia,’” he said.
Aftermath and Damages
Now, their daughter Mia is seven months old and healthy, but the manner of her arrival into the world has left lasting emotional scars on both parents. The couple is seeking $5.75 million in damages for the ordeal.
Hospital’s Response
In response to the lawsuit, Oceanside Medical Center released a statement asserting that patient safety is their highest priority and claimed that Jessica was administered anesthesia prior to the procedure—contradicting both the doctor’s report and Jessica and Mark’s assertions.
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Conclusion
In summary, the distressing case of Jessica Lee highlights serious concerns regarding patient care during emergency medical procedures and the potential for lasting trauma. The couple’s lawsuit underlines the importance of proper anesthesia administration during surgical interventions, especially in high-stress situations such as childbirth.
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