A harrowing medical negligence case has emerged from Santa Clara County, California, involving a plaintiff who claims severe and lasting injuries due to the alleged incompetence of several healthcare providers. Elizabeth Contreras filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara on July 9, 2024, naming Regional Medical Center of San Jose, Regents of the University of California, Dr. Daniel Raper, and Dr. Brian Sakamoto as defendants.
The case revolves around an incident that began on April 17, 2023, when Ms. Contreras was involved in a catastrophic car accident that left her partially ejected from her vehicle. She was rushed to the Emergency Department at Regional Medical Center of San Jose where a CT scan revealed acute bilateral C7 and right T1 transverse process fractures. The scan was interpreted by Dr. Brian Sakamoto and followed by a neurosurgery consultation with Dr. Daniel Raper. Despite these findings, Dr. Raper concluded that Ms. Contreras' fractures did not pose significant instability or danger of neurological decline and recommended no active treatment or further imaging.
Ms. Contreras was discharged to a rehabilitation center on April 22, 2023, without any restrictions on her movement or orders for cervical spine precautions such as wearing a collar or brace. However, just three days later on April 25, she experienced a drastic change in her neurological condition and was taken back to Regional Medical Center where she was diagnosed with severe spinal injuries requiring emergency surgery.
The lawsuit alleges that both Drs. Sakamoto and Raper failed to meet the standard of care required in their professions by not ordering additional imaging like MRI or flexion-extension x-rays which could have identified ligamentous disruptions and other instabilities earlier on. According to the complaint: "Had Defendants complied with the standard of care... Ms. Contreras would have undergone urgent cervical fusion before sustaining additional injury."
As a result of these alleged lapses in medical judgment and care, Ms. Contreras now suffers from severe neurological impairments including pain, decreased mobility and strength, numbness from her navel down both lower extremities, and an inability to perform basic movements without assistance.
In her lawsuit, Ms. Contreras is seeking general damages exceeding the jurisdictional minimum of the court for medical expenses incurred due to what she claims were negligent actions by the defendants. She is also asking for all other economic damages according to proof presented during trial as well as prejudgment interest according to statute.
Representing Ms. Contreras are attorneys Craig S. Walkon, Bradley J. Walkon, and Andrew H. Walkon from Walkon Law Firm based in Capistrano Beach, CA.
The case has been assigned Case ID: 24CV442740 with Judge L.Ayala overseeing proceedings.