Katie Hungate has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against a public hospital and its staff, alleging severe negligence that resulted in significant personal injuries. The complaint was filed on January 7, 2025, by her attorneys at Commins, Knudsen & Chou, P.C., in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. The defendants named in the case are Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and an individual nurse, Winnie Zhao.
The lawsuit details events beginning on September 2, 2024, when Katie Hungate was admitted to the Emergency Department of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center for treatment. During her stay, she received a sodium bicarbonate IV drip which required meticulous monitoring due to its potential to cause tissue damage if not properly administered. The plaintiff alleges that Nurse Winnie Zhao and other unnamed staff members failed to monitor the IV drip correctly during their shift in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). According to Hungate's claim, "checks" were recorded at precise hourly intervals without actual physical inspections being performed—actions that allegedly fell below the standard of care expected from medical professionals.
As a result of this alleged negligence, Hungate suffered severe tissue damage when the sodium bicarbonate infiltrated surrounding tissues. This led to serious complications requiring emergency surgery, including fasciotomy and extensive debridement procedures. The plaintiff claims these injuries have caused permanent scarring and disfigurement along with reduced mobility and function in the affected area. Furthermore, Hungate asserts that these injuries have significantly impacted her ability to work as an owner and operator of a handyman and cleaning business.
Hungate is seeking damages exceeding $35,000 for both economic losses such as past and future medical expenses and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. She also requests compensation for lost wages due to her inability to continue working at her previous capacity.
Representing Katie Hungate are attorneys David H.S. Commins and Justin Chou from Commins, Knudsen & Chou, P.C., while the case is presided over by Judge L. Ayala under Case ID 25CV455905.