In a harrowing case that underscores the vulnerability of patients within healthcare settings, a woman has filed a lawsuit against a major city hospital alleging severe misconduct during her treatment. Rebekah Ann Casella lodged her complaint on April 2, 2025, in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Francisco, accusing the City and County of San Francisco and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center of multiple offenses including battery and negligence.
The legal action arises from an incident on April 2, 2023, when Casella was admitted to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital due to acute left ankle pain. During her stay, she was subjected to a spectral doppler evaluation by an unidentified male employee, referred to as DOE 1 in the complaint. According to Casella's allegations, while she was heavily medicated and periodically losing consciousness, DOE 1 performed an unauthorized ultrasound on her vaginal region without supervision or consent. "DOE 1 applied ultrasound gel on Plaintiff’s vaginal region numerous times without Plaintiff’s consent," states the complaint. This act deviated significantly from standard medical procedures for diagnosing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), as confirmed by one of Casella's treaters, Dr. Alanna Williams.
Casella asserts that neither she nor any reasonable person would have consented to such invasive contact under these circumstances. The lawsuit claims DOE 1's actions constituted battery and sexual battery under Civil Code Section 1708.5, intending harmful or offensive contact with her body without her permission. Furthermore, it alleges assault due to the fear and harm caused by these actions.
The lawsuit also targets the hospital administration for negligent hiring and supervision practices. It claims that employees identified as DOES 2-50 failed in their duty to supervise DOE 1 adequately despite knowing Casella's vulnerable state due to medication effects. The complaint accuses these unnamed individuals of negligence for not preventing DOE 1’s alleged misconduct during the ultrasound procedure.
Casella is seeking various forms of relief from the court including general and special damages according to proof presented at trial, reimbursement for all costs incurred during litigation, and both prejudgment and post-judgment interest. She also requests any further relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Rebekah Ann Casella are attorneys Benjamin J. Angulo and Joseph S. Nourmand from Nourmand Legal based in Los Angeles. The case is presided over by Judge XXX in Department X under Case No. CGC-25-623924.