Recent Posts in Paraplegia/Quadriplegia Category

Recently, a Riverside Superior Court jury decided to award a California couple $16.5 million for their medical malpractice claim.  It took the jury eight hours of deliberation to reach a final verdict.

The victim of the medical malpractice claim, Trent Hughes, and his wife filed their lawsuit against a Palm Springs neurosurgeon by the name of Christopher Pham. In their lawsuit, the couple asserted that Pham was negligent while treating Trent Hughes in November 2003.

Prior to receiving treatment from Pham, Hughes was off-roading and was involved in a serious crash after hitting a bump in the terrain. He was airlifted to the Desert Regional Medical Center where Pham was the attending physician on call. After being evaluated, it was discovered that Hughes had a fractured spine, which can be a life-threatening medical condition. Even though he had been diagnosed with such a serious condition, Hughes was not operated on until two days after he suffered his injury. 

Later, Hughes learned that he was paraplegic. This prompted Hughes and his wife to file a medical malpractice claim to obtain compensation for his medical bills, pain and suffering and also future lost income. 

Two years ago, the Hughes settled their claim against the Desert Regional Medical Center for an undisclosed amount. This week, the jury presiding over the Hughes’ claim against Pham awarded the couple $16.5 million after agreeing that the doctor’s negligence and delayed treatment left Trent Hughes paraplegic.