SAN FRANCISCO — A woman claims her cardiologist's recommendation to come off her blood thinner for an elective surgery caused her to suffer a massive stroke and brain damage.
Wendy Goldberg filed a complaint Feb. 4 in the Superior Court of California of San Francisco County against Steven Blumlein, M.D., Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, Sutter West Bay Medical Group and Does 1 through 50 alleging medical malpractice.
Goldberg suffered a stroke in 2008 and was under the care of cardiologist Dr. Steven Blumlein, according to her complaint. She alleges that on Feb. 7, 2020, she underwent elective plastic surgery on her upper eyelid, face and neck that was performed by plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Barnett and that prior to her plastic surgery, Blumlein gave "clearance" to Barnett for her to stop her blood-thinner medication Xarelto prior to and after her surgery.
Goldberg claims Blumlein stated she was at "low risk" for a stroke and could resume her medication five to seven days after surgery. However, the day after her plastic surgery, she suffered a "massive ischemic stroke" and was required to undergo an embolectomy to remove a clot, the suit says.
Goldberg further claims as a result of her stroke, she suffered brain damage that caused physical, language and cognitive damage. Goldberg alleges the defendants breached their duties and failed to "exercise due care."
Goldberg seeks monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Daniel Feder of The Law Offices of Daniel Feder in San Francisco.
Superior Court of California of San Francisco County case number CGC-21-589635