A Santa Clara County resident has filed a lawsuit against a prominent healthcare provider and two of its doctors, alleging severe medical malpractice and negligence. On September 3, 2024, Yolanda Martinez filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California for the County of Santa Clara against Stanford Health Care, Dr. Dung Hoang Nguyen, and Dr. Anita Tanniru Mohan.
The case revolves around a surgery performed on June 5, 2023, at Stanford University Hospital by Dr. Nguyen with assistance from Dr. Mohan. The procedure involved the removal of both breasts and a bilateral tissue transfer lymph node transfer to address lymphedema resulting from breast cancer treatment. According to Martinez's allegations, Dr. Nguyen appeared rushed during pre-op preparations and assured her that they would "figure it out" regarding the compression gloves and sleeves required for the surgery.
Post-surgery complications began almost immediately when Martinez experienced severe pain in her right hand, describing it as feeling like it was "on fire." Despite her pleas to remove the constrictive compression glove causing her pain, she was administered more pain medication instead. This continued until June 8, three days after the surgery when Drs. Nguyen and Mohan finally removed the compression garment only to find significant bruising, blistering, and discoloration on Martinez's hand.
Dr. George Bugarinovic later assessed Martinez's condition and noted motor palsy in her median and ulnar nerves due to deep penetrating injuries caused by prolonged compression. Despite initial discussions about performing surgery to alleviate pressure on her hand, no such procedure was carried out, leaving Martinez with limited use of her right hand.
Martinez claims that she followed all medical advice diligently throughout her treatment journey since being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. She alleges that an addendum made by Dr. Nguyen falsely stated that she refused to have the compression removed when she had actually requested its removal multiple times due to severe pain.
The plaintiff is seeking damages amounting to no less than $250,000 for each cause of action—medical malpractice and negligence—citing substantial breaches in standard care that led directly to her injuries.
Representing Yolanda Martinez is attorney Timothy Reed from the Law Office of Timothy Reed. The case has been assigned Case No.: 24CV446537.