A tragic case of alleged medical malpractice has been brought to light in Santa Clara County. On September 11, 2024, a complaint was filed by Ian Eduardo Leon Leon, a minor represented by his guardians Eusebio Leon and Eloisa Leon Sarmiento, against Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. The plaintiffs allege that the hospital's negligence during the labor and delivery process resulted in severe and life-altering injuries to the newborn.
The complaint details that on or before August 12, 2023, Eloisa Leon Sarmiento sought medical care from Santa Clara Valley Medical Center for her labor and delivery needs. According to the filing, the defendants agreed to provide all necessary medical attention but failed to exercise the standard level of care expected from healthcare providers. The plaintiffs claim that this negligence led to Ian Eduardo suffering from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and other complications at birth.
The lawsuit alleges multiple failures on the part of the medical staff at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. These include improper evaluation, treatment, monitoring, and diagnosis of both mother and child before, during, and after birth. "Defendants...failed to exercise that degree of due care and/or skill common to medical practitioners," states the complaint. This lack of due diligence allegedly caused severe physical and emotional suffering for both Ian Eduardo and his mother.
Eloisa Leon Sarmiento also claims negligent infliction of emotional distress under Dillon v. Legg because she was present during her son's birth and witnessed his injuries firsthand. She became immediately aware of the negligence that led to her son's condition, which has caused her significant emotional trauma.
The plaintiffs are seeking general damages exceeding the court's minimum jurisdiction limit, as well as compensation for past and future medical expenses, loss of earnings, incidental expenses related to the incident, interest on all damages incurred, costs of suit, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys William C. Callaham and Christopher G. Romero from Wilcoxen Callaham LLP. The case is being reviewed under Case No.: 24CV446993 in front of Judge B. Roman-Anitunez at the Superior Court of California in Santa Clara County.