Case Background
Rinda Hall visited Culver City Family Dentistry from May 2017 through early 2022 to receive extensive dental restorations for her upper and lower jaws. During this treatment period, dental professionals at the clinic performed bone grafting, placed multiple dental implants and crowns, and fabricated a full lower denture prosthesis.
Cause
The lawsuit arose from allegations of professional medical negligence and dental malpractice. Hall alleged that the treating dentists performed sub-standard work, which caused her restorative dental hardware to fail.
Injury
Following her dental procedures, Hall experienced severe and ongoing physical issues, including multiple broken crowns, poor jaw alignment, and constant pain. The clinic staff dismissed her initial complaints and told her that she would eventually adapt to the pieces. By February 2022, Hall sought a second opinion from a dentist in Sacramento because her upper right bridge and lower implant bridge were falling out of her mouth. The new dentist diagnosed her with open-margined crowns, failing implants, improper jaw alignment, and ill-fitting bridges. The failed treatments destroyed her remaining teeth and forced her to undergo a full mouth reconstruction.
Damages Sought
Hall sought compensation for general damages tied to her physical pain and suffering. She also requested reimbursement for past medical and dental expenses, payment for future revision procedures, and compensation for lost earnings and reduced earning capacity.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Rinda Hall
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Mark J. Zanobini, Esq. | Renata L. Bogomolnaya, Esq.
Defendant(s): Kaveh Taheri | Mahnaz Zandi Hanjari | Eric Westley Bui, DDS (sued erroneously as Eric Westley Bui, DDS, but identified as Eric Westley Bui, D.M.D.) | Kaveh Taheri, DDS | Kaveh Taheri Dental Corporation
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Kammann S. Cole, Esq. | James D. Savage, Esq. | Jennie L. Hertzog, Esq. | Nicholas Aloia, Esq.
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
The Plaintiff's legal team argued that the Defendants departed sharply from accepted medical and dental standards of care. Counsel asserted that the practitioners carelessly executed the implant placements, left open margins on the crowns, and installed unstable bridges. The attorneys emphasized that Hall entered the clinic seeking better dental health but left with a severely worsened condition that required total corrective reconstruction and extensive future periodontal maintenance.
Defense
The defense team denied all allegations of wrongdoing, negligence, and liability. Attorney James D. Savage filed a formal answer on behalf of Eric Westley Bui, D.M.D., asserting that his client did not cause any of Hall's alleged injuries or financial losses. The defense raised several affirmative arguments, stating that Hall failed to exercise ordinary care for her own well-being and voluntarily assumed the known risks associated with advanced dental restoration procedures. The defense also argued that any physical issues stemmed entirely from the natural progression of Hall's pre-existing dental condition or represented the standard risks of reasonable medical treatment. Finally, the defense argued that statutory caps should limit any potential non-economic damages.
Jury Verdict
The trial began on November 3, 2025. After hearing the evidence presented by both sides, the jury deliberated and returned a special verdict on November 17, 2025.
The jury focused its specific findings on the actions of Mahnaz Zandi Hanjari, DDS. The jurors officially determined that Mahnaz Zandi Hanjari, DDS was not negligent in the dental treatment of Rinda Hall. Because the jurors answered "No" to the core question of professional negligence, the Court instructions required them to halt further deliberations. The jury did not calculate any monetary damages, did not assess comparative fault against Hall, and did not assign any percentages of liability to the parties. The presiding juror signed and dated the special verdict form, concluding the matter in favor of the defense.
Judgment
The Court issued a final judgment on December 18, 2025, following the defense verdict delivered by the jury. Judge Lisa K. Sepe-Wiesenfeld officially decreed that Rinda Hall will recover nothing from Mahnaz Zandi Hanjari, DDS. The judge ordered the total dismissal of Hall's complaint against Dr. Hanjari with prejudice. Additionally, the Court ordered Hall to pay all jury fees related to the trial of the matter.
Court documents are available upon request at [email protected]
