A California couple has filed a lawsuit against a prominent medical institution, alleging severe medical malpractice that resulted in life-altering injuries. On February 21, 2025, Leah McNamee and Samuel Price lodged their complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, against the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center (UCSF Health), Dr. Kenzo Hirose, and other unnamed defendants.
The plaintiffs claim that on May 31, 2024, Leah McNamee underwent surgery at UCSF Medical Center for the removal of a Schwannoma tumor located near her femoral nerve. Despite the complexity of the procedure requiring a neurosurgeon, it was performed by Dr. Kenzo Hirose, who is not specialized in neurosurgery. The lawsuit alleges that during this operation, McNamee's femoral nerve was completely transected. Although she immediately reported symptoms indicative of such an injury post-surgery, she was initially misdiagnosed with nerve palsy and discharged without proper treatment. It wasn't until subsequent radiological imaging confirmed the nerve transection that corrective surgery was scheduled months later. This delay allegedly led to permanent damage to McNamee's right leg.
According to the complaint, this alleged negligence has caused McNamee significant physical and emotional suffering and has impaired her ability to work. Her husband, Samuel Price, claims loss of consortium due to his wife's incapacitation affecting their marital relationship. The couple accuses the defendants of failing to provide adequate care and oversight during McNamee's treatment and seeks damages exceeding $35,000 for medical expenses incurred and anticipated future costs.
In their filing, McNamee and Price request general damages beyond the court's minimum jurisdictional limits for both personal injury and loss of consortium claims. They also seek compensation for medical expenses according to proof presented during trial proceedings and reimbursement for lost earnings due to McNamee’s inability to work following her injury.
Representing the plaintiffs is Joseph A. Androvich from Brelsford Androvich & White law firm based in Sacramento. The case is identified under Case No. CGC-25-622614 in front of the Superior Court of California in San Francisco County.