A mother in California is taking legal action against a hospital following a harrowing experience during an emergency C-section, claiming she underwent the procedure without any anesthesia. According to her lawsuit, the woman, named Jessica Turner, reported feeling every cut and slice during the surgery, ultimately losing consciousness after screaming in agony.
Turner and her partner, Mark Smith, allege that medical malpractice and emotional distress resulted from the botched procedure. The couple’s ordeal began when they arrived at Harmony Medical Center in Oceanside, California, last fall, ready for an induction as Turner was over 41 weeks pregnant. After several hours, doctors could no longer detect the baby’s heartbeat, prompting the lead physician, Dr. Emily Carter, to call for an emergency C-section.
The Traumatic Experience
In an interview with a local news outlet, Turner stated that just before the surgery commenced, she observed the doctor applying what she believed was a local anesthetic to her abdomen. However, as the incision was made, she felt intense pain, recalling, “I screamed and felt like I was being torn apart.” She reported that her pleas for help went unheard as the room descended into chaos, with the medical team insisting they had to proceed.
Court documents reveal that the anesthesiologist was still being called to the operating room when Dr. Carter ordered, “Strap her down.” Following the procedure, Dr. Carter’s report confirmed that the incision was made without anesthesia, further complicating the situation.
Family’s Reaction
Turner’s fiancé, Smith, was kept outside the operating room and expressed disbelief at the situation. “I kept asking the nurse, ‘There’s no way they cut her without anesthesia,’” he recounted.
Their daughter, Lily, is now seven months old and healthy, but the couple believes the traumatic experience has left lasting emotional scars. The hospital has publicly denied the allegations, asserting that patient safety is paramount and claiming that anesthesia was administered, contrary to the couple’s account and the doctor’s report.
Seeking Justice
The couple is seeking $5.75 million in damages for their suffering.
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Conclusion
In summary, a woman is suing a hospital for a traumatic emergency C-section that allegedly occurred without anesthesia, claiming medical malpractice and emotional distress, while the hospital disputes the allegations and maintains that patient safety is its top priority.