Case Background
Denise Wood filed a lawsuit in San Bernardino Superior Court. She sued St. Mary Medical Center, Providence Health Services, and three medical professionals. The incident occurred on May 13, 2019, while Wood was visiting her mother at St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley, California. During the visit, Wood slipped on liquid on the hospital floor and fell. Hospital staff transported her to the emergency room. Doctors performed an X-ray that revealed a hip fracture. However, the complaint alleges they failed to disclose the injury.
Cause
Wood slipped on a wet floor inside the hospital. She claims the staff failed to maintain safe premises. After the fall, medical staff treated her but allegedly did not inform her of the fracture. The complaint argues the defendants intentionally concealed the injury to avoid liability. Wood believes she could have received proper care earlier if they had been honest about her condition.
Injury
Wood fractured the femoral head in her left hip. She claims she didn’t know about the injury due to the hospital’s concealment. As a result, she did not receive timely treatment. The delay worsened her condition. She experienced severe pain and loss of mobility. The complaint says Wood still suffers from the injury’s effects. Her quality of life has declined since the fall.
Damages
Wood sought compensatory and punitive damages. She wanted repayment for past and future medical expenses. She also claimed damages for emotional distress and physical pain. The complaint included a demand for punitive damages based on alleged fraudulent concealment. Wood believed the defendants knowingly acted to hide the injury. She also sought legal fees and any other relief the court found appropriate.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Denise Wood
Counsel for Plaintiff: Ashkahn Mohamadi
Defendants: Q. Duy Bui | S. Ramandeep Dhillon | Suzanne Percival-Pacin | Providence Health & Services | St. Mary Medical Center
Counsel for Defendants: Paul David Pruett
Claims
Premises Liability and Negligence
Denise Wood alleged that St. Mary Medical Center and Providence Health & Services failed to maintain safe premises. While visiting her mother at the hospital, she slipped and fell on a liquid substance left on the floor. The defendants had a duty to keep the premises safe for visitors but failed to do so. Their negligence directly caused Wood’s fall and subsequent injuries.
Medical Negligence and Fraudulent Concealment
Following the incident, hospital staff performed an X-ray and diagnosed a fractured femoral head in Wood’s left hip. However, the complaint alleges that the attending medical professionals, including Dr. Ramandeep Dhillon, Dr. Duy Q. Bui, and Suzanne Percival-Pacin, concealed this diagnosis. Wood claimed the defendants intentionally withheld this information to avoid liability. This alleged concealment violated patient trust and delayed appropriate care.
Punitive Damages
Wood argued that the defendants’ actions went beyond negligence and amounted to intentional misconduct. She sought punitive damages, claiming their conduct showed a willful disregard for her safety and rights.
Legal Costs
Wood incurred significant legal expenses pursuing this case. She asked the court to award attorney fees and litigation costs, arguing the defendants’ conduct forced her into prolonged and unnecessary legal action.
Defense
Dr. Duy Quang Bui denied all claims brought by Denise Wood. He stated he did not breach any duty of care. He asserted that his actions complied with medical standards and that he properly documented the patient’s condition.
He also argued he had no intent to deceive and did not conceal any medical findings. Dr. Bui claimed that Wood’s own negligence contributed to her injuries. Therefore, he said any damages should be reduced accordingly.
Additionally, he cited protections under California law, including caps on damages and time limits on filing claims. He argued the case was barred by the statute of limitations. He also referenced a signed arbitration agreement and demanded the dispute be resolved outside of court.
Finally, Dr. Bui requested that the court dismiss the case entirely. He also asked to recover legal costs and any other relief the court deemed appropriate.
Jury Verdict
On February 18, 2025, the jury found that Plaintiff Denise Wood suffered a total of $3,965,000 in damages. They awarded her $180,000 in past medical expenses and $120,000 in future medical expenses. Additionally, they awarded $2,565,000 in past non-economic damages and $1,100,000 in future non-economic damages, including compensation for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The jury determined that both parties shared responsibility for her injuries. St. Mary Medical Center was found 85% at fault, while Denise Wood was found 15% comparatively responsible for her own harm.
Court Documents:
Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com