Yarbrough, et al. v. Cardiovascular Group, et al.

Summary

In this medical malpractice case, decedent Ron Yarbrough suffered a fatal heart attack around a month after he received non-emergency colon surgery from surgeon Dr. Kota Venkatesh. Yarbrough's family sues Dr. Venkatesh and cardiologist Dr. Lance Friedland for allegedly failing to notice the early signs of a heart attack.

Yarbrough's family claims that Dr. Friedland screened Yarbrough months prior to the surgery and discovered that he had a noticeably high CT calcium test. Yet, Dr. Friedland allegedly failed to follow up on this test and erroneously provided Yarbrough with a letter that his results were not out of the ordinary. Lloyd Bell, representing the family, argues that Dr. Venkatesh was aware that Yarbrough was seeing a cardiologist, yet did not follow up and investigate why. Had he met the standard of care, Bell claims, Dr. Venkatesh would have learned more about his cardiac history, which may have prevented the fatal heart attack.

Daniel Huff, representing Dr. Lance Friedland, argues that complications from colon surgery caused the heart attack. Huff asserts that these calcium tests were not surprising considering Yarbrough's other health issues, and Dr. Venkatesh never reached out to Dr. Friedland before surgery.

Heather Miller, representing Dr. Kota Venkatesh, claims that Dr. Venkatesh performed proper pre-operative screening. She asserts that Yarbrough's medical conditions did not require cardiac clearance prior to surgery.

Outcome

Verdict for the plaintiff.
Total damages: $18.3 million.

Apportionment of fault:
Dr. Lance Friedland: 70%
Dr. Kota Venkatesh: 30%