Kaiser Responsible for Woman’s Death, Parents Say

8-15-2013 22:03:00

     SAN FRANCISCO (CN) - Kaiser hospital staff members allowed a woman to die while under their care, her parents claim in a San Francisco County Superior Court complaint.
     Michelle Woodall passed away at the age of 25, on Aug. 17, 2012, while being treated by Kaiser staff and Dr. Amir Rafii, who is a co-defendant in the case, the complaint says. Woodall died of unspecified injuries or complications.
     The defendants “negligently cared for, monitored and treated decedent, Michelle Woodall, and failed to exercise the standard of care and skill ordinarily and reasonable required of medical doctors and other medical practitioners by negligently, carelessly and unskillfully providing Michelle Woodall with medical care, including without limitation, failing to properly diagnose, treat, examine, operate upon, medicate, attend, follow up and otherwise handle and control the treatment of Michelle Woodall,” which caused her death, the complaint states.
     Her parents, Kathleen McIntyre and Noah Woodall, are suing for wrongful death and medical malpractice. They seek general damages on top of medical and incidental expenses, and funeral and burial costs.
     Eric J. Ratinoff and Marla C. Strain, of Kershaw Cutter & Ratinoff in Sacramento, represent the plaintiffs.